There were tears of joy and tears of disappointment Sunday in the final stage of the 56th Vuelta a Espana. U.S. Postal’s Levi Leipheimer broke down in tears moments after finishing second in the 38km time trial and discovering he passed teammate Roberto Heras to vault onto the final podium, the first-ever American finish in the top-three of the three-week Spanish tour.

Kelme’s Oscar Sevilla shed tears of disappointment after forfeiting the race leader’s jersey to rival Angel Casero in the 21st stage and losing the 3012km race by just 47 seconds.

Casero cemented the biggest victory of his career by overcoming a 25-second deficit to Sevilla just as he had promised. Casero -- whose overall victory is the most important ever for the scandal-plagued Festina team that is folding after this season -- finished fourth in Sunday’s time trial through the crowded streets of Madrid, 45 seconds behind stage-winner Santiago Botero of Kelme.

Making history: Casero got the win and Leipheimer became the first American to take the Vuelta podium.

Photo: Graham Watson

While Casero and Sevilla flip-flopped in the final stage, it was Leipheimer’s jump onto the podium that is the Vuelta’s biggest story.

Leipheimer, a 27-year-old Montana native, came out of nowhere to earn the most dazzling result by an American this year behind Lance Armstrong’s third-straight Tour de France victory. Before Leipheimer’s third overall at 2:59 back, Armstrong held the best American finish at the Vuelta when he was fourth overall in 1998.

"Today I just thought about third place overall. I would have been disappointed with anything else," said Leipheimer, who finished second to Botero by just 14 seconds and jumped from fifth to third overall. "It’s kind of surreal to be on the podium. It hasn’t sunk it yet. I’ve been on podiums before, but never one like this."

Leipheimer was intent on winning Sunday, but ran into a dominant Botero who won with an average speed of 50.055 kph with a winning time of 45 minutes, 33 seconds. Leipheimer had the second fastest splits over the course and finished in 45:47.

"I thought I was going to win today. I’ve never ridden the bike so fast," said Leipheimer, who finished second twice in two time trials and third and fifth in two others. "I had a couple of corners kind of shaky, but with 14 seconds, it’s obvious that Botero was the strongest today."

It’s been a stressful few days for Leipheimer, who surprised everyone with his strength in this 2001 Vuelta loaded with seven mountain-top finishes and four time trials.

U.S. Postal Service came with hopes of winning the Vuelta with defending champion Heras but walked away with a podium finish no one expected when the race started September 8 in Salamanca.

Leipheimer said there was tension between he and the quiet and proud Heras, whom Leipheimer confessed hasn’t spoken to him in two days.

"It’s a bit a tough situation. I can’t help but feel kind of guilty, but I hope people don’t forget Lagos de Covadonga," Leipheimer said, referring to the key climbing stage in the Vuelta’s fifth day when Leipheimer held back to help a struggling Heras to the summit.

"I came here to work for Roberto but once I showed my strength and confidence, Johan (Bruyneel) and Dirk (Demol) were very supportive of me and gave me the freedom to ride," Leipheimer said at the finish line, his head wrapped in a towel. As he recounted his final time trial ride, he briefly broke into tears.

"It’s been hard to hold it together."

While Leipheimer was whisked away for podium protocol, there was still the battle for the final Vuelta victory. Casero started the day just 25 seconds behind Sevilla, who held the race lead since stage 11.

Casero held strong through the Vuelta’s most difficult mountain stages, even taking some time out of Sevilla in the climb to Alto de Aitana in stage 15. He didn’t lose any time to Sevilla despite relentless attacks from Kelme in Saturday’s stage 20 to Alto de Abantos.

"This victory means a lot to me because I’ve always had the confidence I could do something grand in my career," said Casero, who won this Vuelta without winning a stage. "Without a doubt it’s a little bit disappointing that I didn’t win a stage, but I was the most consistent over three weeks and showed my strength in every stage."

Sevilla couldn’t help but be disappointed, but the 25-year-old continued to smile despite losing the race on the final day.

"I have to be optimistic. I am still very young and I know I will more chances to win," said Sevilla, who fought in vain in Sunday’s time trial. By kilometer 20, Casero had covered the time gap on Sevilla and won the Vuelta.

Botero’s winning ride Sunday was the second time trial victory for the Colombian in this Vuelta. Cofidis’s David Millar had the fastest time until Botero roared down the course.

I’m satisfied with my ride. It was a very technical course today and I’m pleased with how I went," said Millar, who finished third Sunday and won two stages and finishes 41st overall. "It’s good that I finished this Vuelta, my second three-week tour of my career. I think it’s important in my progression as a rider."

Tens of thousands of fans lined the course for the final stage of what’s been a very exciting Vuelta a Espana. Even without the presence of Armstrong and German Jan Ullrich, the race boasted one of the best starting line-ups this season.

It soon became clear, however, this would be a very Spanish Vuelta. Only Leipheimer and Dane Klaus Moller (eighth overall) interrupted the Spanish dominance of the top-10.

U.S. Postal Service walks away without any stage victories, but had three men in the top-10: Leipheimer third, Heras, fourth and Jose Luis Rubiera in seventh, and finishes second in the team competition. Spain’s ibanesto.com won the overall team competition while team captain Jose Maria Jimenez won three stages and took the best climber’s jersey and the points jersey.

The Italians came on strong in the closing week to win five stages between Italian teams and Italian riders. The Vuelta’s shorter stages helped control the bleeding, though 50 riders abandoned, including Marco Pantani, Joseba Beloki and Ivan Gotti.

Three Americans started the Vuelta -- four if you include dual passport holder Guido Trenti. And all had their moments: Leipheimer on the podium and Chann McRae and Antonio Cruz doing solid work for U.S. Postal Service.