Leipheimer on his way to victory in the Tour of Germany

The Gerolsteiner rider took the title as Italy's Daniele Bennati, of Lampre, won the 168km leg from Bad Kreuznach to Bonn - his third stage win of the race.

Leipheimer, sixth in July's Tour de France, began the last stage 31 seconds up on Germany's Jan Ullrich and the T-Mobile rider could not close the gap.

Leipheimer's team-mate Georg Totschnig of Austria completed the podium places.

Leipheimer's triumph underlined the current strength of US cycling - following on from compatriot Lance Armstrong's record seventh Tour de France win and fellow American Bobby Julich's successes in this year's Paris-Nice and the Tour of Benelux.

I didn't expect to be on the podium as my illness really handicapped me Jan Ullrich

"It's great to win this race," Leipheimer said. "The race has matured, and it's one of the best in the world now.

"It's very well organised, the roads are safe, and the spectators are incredible - for example, the Tour of Spain never has that many crowds. It's truly a great race."

Leipheimer, who also won the mountains classification, took the overall lead after winning last Thursday's fourth stage on the 2,670m Rettenbachferner climb.

Runner-up Ullrich had started as a title favourite but after suffering from the after-effects of a cold during the race he declared himself satisfied with his result.

"I would have liked to win but I was 31 seconds short in the end," said Ullrich, who won Monday's time trial for his first stage victory on his home Tour.

"But I'm very satisfied given the circumstances. I didn't expect to be on the podium as my illness really handicapped me." The final stage - a flat, fast affair - ended in a frenetic sprint finish.

The end of the stage was in front of the T-Mobile headquarters and several of the team's riders tried to attack on the final circuit around Bonn.

But Gerolsteiner and Lampre worked together to reel the breakaway in and Bennati snatched victory on the line as Australian Baden Cooke and Swiss Fabian Cancellara powered through late on to take second and third respectively.

Tuesday's stage results:

1. Daniele Bennati (Italy / Lampre - Caffita) 3:53:07"
2. Baden Cooke (Australia / Francaise des Jeux) ST
3. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / Fassa Bortolo)
4. Luke Roberts (Australia / Team CSC)
5. Steffen Radochla (Germany / Team Wiesenhof)
6. Davide Vigano (Italy / Quick-Step)
7. Sebastian Siedler (Germany / Team Wiesenhof)
8. Rony Martias (France / Bouygues Telecom)
9. Sebastien Hinault (France / Credit Agricole)
10. Marco Righetto (Italy / Liquigas)

Final overall results:

1. Levi Leipheimer (United States / Gerolsteiner) 37:24:35"
2. Jan Ullrich (Germany / T-Mobile) +31"
3. Georg Totschnig (Austria / Gerolsteiner) +1:23"
4. Joerg Jaksche (Germany / Liberty Seguros) +1:29"
5. Cadel Evans (Australia / Davitamon - Lotto) +1:53"
6. Tadej Valjavec (Slovenia / Phonak) +3:53"
7. Fabian Jeker (Switzerland / Saunier Duval) +4:26"
8. Marzio Bruseghin (Italy / Fassa Bortolo) +5:07"
9. Saul Raisin (United States / Credit Agricole) +6:03"
10. Patrik Sinkewitz (Germany / Quick-Step) +6:30"