Oscar Camenzind has become the first Swiss rider in six years to win the Tour de Suisse.

The 29-year-old from canton Schwyz was cheered the entire length of the 178-kilometre 10th and final stage, from Herisau to Baden. Camenzind finished more than seven minutes behind the day's victor, but his 14-second overall advantage over the Italian, Dario Frigo, remained intact.

As is the tradition, the final stage was decided in a sprint finish, with Italy's Stefano Zanini powering ahead of Austria's Thomas Mulbacher and the Swiss, Marcel Strauss.

Camenzind sealed his overall victory on Wednesday, in a hard-fought 150 kilometre stage from St Moritz to Arosa. With the help of his Lampre-Daikin team mates, he snuffed out a succession of attacks as Germany's Jan Ullrich and the Italians, Wladimir Belli and Frigo, launched their final bid to grab the leader's yellow jersey.

Despite his success in his home tour, Camenzind will not figure among the favourities to win cycling's biggest event, the Tour de France, when it gets underway in two weeks' time. His Lampre team has not been selected to take part.

swissinfo with agencies

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