Leipheimer was sixth in the Tour de France last year

The Gerolsteiner team rider, who finished sixth in the 2005 Tour de France, took the Dauphine yellow jersey on stage four and did not look back.

Frenchman Christophe Moreau was second overall with German Bernard Kohl third.

Norway's Thor Hushovd won a mass sprint to take the final 131km stage from St-Jean-de-Maurienne to Grenoble.

This win will give me a lot of confidence in the Tour Levi Leipheimer

Samuel Dumoulin of France was just edged into second place by Hushovd as the race concluded in hot conditions.

Leipheimer went one better than last year's second place without winning a single stage.

However, the 32-year-old's consistency in the time-trials and mountain stages paid off.

"This win will give them and me a lot of confidence in the Tour," said Leipheimer.

"It's been a hard, fast, difficult race again, with never a moment's respite."

Stage seven results:

1. Thor Hushovd (Norway / Credit Agricole) 3:08:17"
2. Samuel Dumoulin (France / AG2R) same time
3. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium / Francaise des Jeux) "
4. George Hincapie (U.S. / Discovery Channel) "
5. Jerome Pineau (France / Bouygues Telecom) "
6. Francisco Mancebo (Spain / AG2R) "
7. Vladimir Gusev (Russia / Discovery Channel) "
8. Alessandro Spezialetti (Italy / Liquigas) "
9. Matteo Carrara (Italy / Lampre) "
10. Oscar Pereiro (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne) "

Overall classification: