Vincenzo Nibali made history by becoming the sixth rider to win all three grand tours when he completed the Tour de France by standing at the top step of the podium. The Italian admits to still being in a daze and unable to believe his big accomplishment.

Vincen Nibali joined the elite club of riders having to its credit the victory in all three grand tours, confirming his status as one of the greatest riders of the new generation, when he rolled into Paris with the yellow jersey on his shoulders. Being the first Italian since 1998 to win the biggest race in the world, he has put the country back on the map after a couple of disappointing seasons.

“Those past few days, when I was asked which one was my best moment of the Tour, I anticipated that no feeling of happiness could be compared to what we feel on the podium at the Champs-Elysées," he said. "It's even more beautiful than what I could imagine.

"I want to dedicate this victory to my team and my family. Hadn't I had my wife Rachele and my baby girl Emma on my side, hadn't I grown up as a young cyclist with parents like mines, I'm not sure I would have made it to here. I have felt such a strong emotion very few times in my life. So I say thanks to the Tour, thanks to all the French people and thanks to everyone."

"I'm still in a bit of a daze," Nibali admitted to RAI television. "I'm not able to externalise it but on the inside, this has taken my breath away, it's fantastic.

"Finally I can say it: I've won the Tour de France. And finally I can start to recover my energies. It was a huge effort. I had the jersey from the second day and that's not easy.

"Soon I'll be chasing big objectives again. I've always like the big stage races, but there are classics and world championships too.

“It was really tough to be there on the podium. I was very emotional. I was here two years ago looking at Wiggins on the podium, and I was thinking that I hope that I can be there one day.

“It was an amazing atmosphere and it just feels great. It was a huge honour.

“I have never really thought about records or history. I had my Vuelta victory in 2010, the Giro last year and the Tour this year, so I have conquered each of these races step by step.

“Winning the Giro d’Italia was a massive emotion for me because, when I was young I was watching it every day. I used to watch the Tour with [Marco] Pantani and [Miguel] Indurain. I grew up watching them and celebrating them. I made my way here to the Tour and to be the winner is incredible.

“I think would still have had a great race. I would have found it harder and it would have been a lot tougher because they [Froome and Contador] are great competitors and they have both shown they are great climbers and great leaders, but I prepared really well for this race and my team were well prepared.

“I showed it in the mountain stages – in every mountain finish, I was there. Froome and Contador are great champions and I hope in future that I will be able to race against them.

“The most important stage was the cobblestone stage. I was a bit nervous about it. I knew I could do something great on it.”