PARIS — After 2,100 miles and three weeks — actually, more like a decade — Cadel Evans was finally able to wrap himself in his national flag, tears in his eyes, and listen to the Australian national anthem from the top of the Tour de France podium yesterday.

The 34-year-old took victory after crossing the finish line on the Champs-Elysee, as the massive crowd on France’s most famous thoroughfare cheered wildly.

Later he bounded up the steps onto the podium, taking deep breaths, then appeared at the top looking calm and waved the bouquet he received in the air. “Thank you to everyone. It’s really incredible,” he told the crowd.

He was joined on the podium by the Schleck brothers of Luxembourg — Andy, who finished second overall for the third straight year, and Frank. Australian singer Tina Arena sang Evans’ national anthem.

This year was a far cry from the Tours de France of many recent years that were dominated almost from the start by Lance Armstrong or, later, Alberto Contador. This was a race that defied predictions, forced pundits to take back their words and was still hanging in the balance on the final weekend.

Evans rarely made his presence known, but he was always there. Up every mountain he was never more than one bicycle length behind his rivals. With a small lead he’d picked up in the early stages of the race and a lot of strength in time-trialing, he knew he didn’t need to attack in order to win.

He went into the time-trial needing to make up almost a minute on Andy Schleck; he made up more than two-and-a-half.