"When the play is of such quality, it can only delight media, supporters and organisers," said Jean-Marie Leblanc, directing his last Tour after 18 years in charge.

The 30-year-old Landis took over the lead role from retired seven-times winner Lance Armstrong [Images] in a five-act epic.

The first one took place in Rennes on July 8 when he outpowered the other favourites, finishing second to Ukrainian Serhiy Honchar in the first time trial.

The second act came two days later in Bordeaux when the leader of the Phonak team announced he would have hip surgery after the Tour to cure residual pain from a crash in 2003.

In act three on July 13, Landis claimed the yellow jersey for the first time in his career after a tough day in the Pyrenees.

The fourth act on July 19 was a nightmare. The American had reclaimed the top spot in the showcase stage of L'Alpe d'Huez on July 18 only to crack, losing over 10 minutes and slipping to 11th.

"It was the most humiliating thing that ever happened to me," said the American.

After being written off, a sensational charge on the following day saw Landis win stage 17 and rocket back into contention. A powerful show in Saturday's time trial put him back in control for the end of act five of the drama in Paris.

LONG WAY

It is all a long way from the community of Mennonites, a branch of the Christian Anabaptist church in Pennsylvania into which the American was born.

The Landis home had phones and electricity but no television and the young Floyd was longing to escape to discover the world and fulfil his passion for cycling.

He bought his first mountain bike at 15, started to train after nightfall, won the first mountain bike race he entered and was crowned junior national champion in 1993.

At 20, he decided to move to southern California to become a full time rider, switched to road racing and promptly joined Armstrong's U.S. Postal team.

The split between the boss and his lieutenant came in 2005 when Landis joined the Swiss team Phonak.

"I wished and hoped I would have the opportunity to become a leader and to wear the yellow jersey," he said.

The rest of Landis story is still to be written and it could well depend on the hip surgery he faces.

"I don't feel my life would have been a failure not having won the Tour but having won it, I'll be much more relaxed about it," he said.

"I'll fight to come back next year or the following year, whatever it takes because cycling is a beautiful sport."