This year he still had to contend with the race's 2011 champion, Cadel Evans of Australia.
WSJ: Tour de France: The Brits Rule World of Wheels - Bradley Wiggins
But the Dane was outgunned and Rebellin burst past Schleck and Australia's Cadel Evans to secure his triumph.
But Cadel Evans does not fit that mould at all, which I suspect explains much of his appeal.
For an alternative take on Cadel and the significance of his victory, here is the writer Mia Freedman.
Australian Cadel Evans and Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain completed a high quality top five in the final standings.
During the 14th stage, his most dangerous rival, Cadel Evans of Australia, suffered a puncture and struggled to get spare wheels.
WSJ: Tour de France: The Divine Comedy of Cycling Etiquette--Bradley Wiggins, Christopher Froome
The team have six newcomers, among them world time trial champion Santiago Botero, Giro winner Paolo Savoldelli and Australian Cadel Evans.
Parts of its reports of Cadel Evans's triumph are highlighted in yellow.
He will be bidding to become the first British rider to win the Tour while Australia's Cadel Evans will be defending his title.
CNN: 2010 champion Andy Schleck out of this year's Tour de France
No wonder then that the victory of Cadel Evans in the Tour de France is being treated as such a major national event.
They may have lost the impressive Miguel Martinez, who showed moments of courage in the mountains in the 2003 Tour, and Cadel Evans among others.
CSC's Sastre was protecting a one minute 34 seconds lead over fourth-placed Cadel Evans, a noted specialist against the clock, with other places on the podium also in the balance.
Despite his defeat, Wiggins is left well-placed after the opening exchanges, gaining nearly 10 seconds on reigning Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, whose BMC teammate Tejay Van Garderen finished a promising fourth place.
Two-time runner-up Cadel Evans, who is almost three minutes behind that trio in the overall standings after a dreadful first week, had attempted to escape on the first climb - Port d'Envalira - but was soon hauled back.
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