 Karpets had been third going into Sunday's time trial |
Vladimir Karpets won the Tour of Switzerland after the Russian rider finished ahead of his rivals in the final stage 33.7km time-trial in Bern. World time-trial champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland won the stage in a time of 41 minutes 46 minutes.
Luxembourg's Kim Kirchen finished overall runner-up to Karpets, who had been third going into the time-trial.
Victory for Karpets, 26, a member of the Caisse d'Epargne team, was a boost ahead of the Tour de France.
Kirchen was one minute and four seconds behind Karpets, while Belgium's Stijn Devolder was third after coming in one minute and 30 seconds behind the Russian.
Karpets' compatriot Vladimir Efimkin, who led the overall standings heading into the final stage, was more than three minutes behind the leaders on Sunday.
German Andreas Kloden finished second in the time-trial with compatriot Stefan Schumacher third.
The Tour de France - cycling's blue riband event - starts in London on 7 July.
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