Paolo Savoldelli completed overall victory in the Giro d'Italia with a one minute and 41 second lead over runner-up American Tyler Hamilton.

Italy's top sprinter Mario Cipollini, of the Acqua e Sapone team, won the final 20th leg for his sixth stage win in this year's race.

Cipollini's win brings his career record to 40 stage wins in the Giro d'Italia - one short of the all-time mark of 41 held by Italian great Alfredo Binda.

Overall winner Savoldelli, 29, of the Index-Alexia team, scored his biggest career victory in a race rocked by doping scandals and controversy.

Defending Giro champion Gilberto Simoni withdrew from the race last week after testing positive for cocaine metabolites.

A few days earlier Stefano Garzelli was suspended from the race after testing positive for a banned diuretic.

And four other Giro cyclists were involved in doping-related cases during the first week of the Italian cycling marathon.

Savoldelli, who almost retired last year following a winless season, snatched the pink jersey of leader from Australian Cadel Evans in last Thursday's uphill stage at Folgaria.

He then defended it from a final attack from Hamilton in Saturday's time test at Monticello Brianza, all but guaranteeing the race title.

Sticking to tradition, cyclists avoided attacks during the closing stage allowing Savoldelli a straight forward ride on the way to the finish line in Milan.

Meanwhile, Cipollini - nicknamed 'Super Mario' by his fans, dominated the final sprint as he completed the 87.4 mile leg from Cantu to Milan in three hours, 35 minutes and 39 seconds.

Cipollini said: "It has been a very difficult Giro for lots of different reasons but my victories have made it a great Giro for me.

"I have to thank God that I've still got enough power at 35 to win."

Cipollini, who used to ride with Savoldelli when they were both with the Saeco team, was delighted with the final day's results.

"Savoldelli winning is a special end to the Giro.

"Savodelli's win shows that everything that has happened can't ruin the beauty of this sport," the veteran sprinter said.