Tadej Pogacar wins solo in the last stage and wins the 2023 edition

He is definitely too strong for the others. After having already signed two victories in this Paris-Nice 2023, the Slovenian took off 19 kilometers from the finish, leaving all his competitors behind to arrive alone under the Nice sun. Too strong on the pedal, he won with style and 33 seconds ahead of Jonas Vingegaard and David Gaudu, during this last stage to clinch the general classification. He therefore won Paris-Nice on his first participation with a 53-second lead overall over his runner-up.

Behind him, David Gaudu, his toughest opponent of the week, failed to follow him on the climb to Eze. The Frenchman, who finished 3rd in this stage, managed to keep his second place in the general classification by staying in a group with Jonas Vingegaard, 2nd today.

This new success for Pogacar, his 55th when he is only 24 years old, confirms his excellent form since the start of the 2023 season after a victory in the Tour of Andalusia. He seems above the rest of the peloton and is the favorite in all the races he contests. “I had never participated in this race before. It has always been my goal to win Paris-Nice, it was even a dream, so it’s incredible“, he commented after crossing the finish line, bowing to the public. “The level was very high. So sharing the podium with Gaudu and Vingegaard is very special, they are two excellent riders. If I don’t win anything until the end of the season, it will still be successful“, he added. “Attack is the best defense. I know these roads by heart, I often train here, I knew the climbs, I knew what I had to do to reach the top alone“, concluded Pogacar who resides in Monaco.

Irresistible since the start of the season, “Pogi» now has nine successes in thirteen days of racing in 2023, including two general classifications with also a victory in the Tour of Andalusia.