Slovenia's Tadej Pogačar made a solo breakaway on the final stage to seal the Paris-Nice crown ©Getty Images

Slovenia's Tadej Pogačar triumphed on his debut at the Paris-Nice race, with the final stage victory on the Promenade des Anglais his third at the eight-day event.

The two-time Tour de France winner and Tokyo 2020 men's road race bronze medallist launched a stunning attack on the final climb of the 118.4 kilometres final stage to claim a solo stage victory.

Pogačar also won the 164.7km flat stage with an uphill finale from Saint-Amand-Montrond to La Loge des Gardes to take over the leaders' jersey, and he did not relinquish it.

His victory in yesterday's medium mountains 142.9km stage starting in Nice and finishing on the Col de la Couillole gave him a lead of 12sec over French home favourite David Gaudu going into the final stage.

UAE Team Emirates rider Pogačar triumphed by 33sec over Denmark's reigning Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard and Gaudu, who placed second and third respectively.

Pogačar's final stage time of 2 hours 51min 2sec enabled him to complete the Paris-Nice in 24:01:38, giving him a 53sec winning margin over Groupama-FDJ's Gandu.

Vingegaard of Team Jumbo-Visma was 1min 39sec off the pace in overall third.

Slovenia's Tadej Pogačar, centre, beat France's David Gaudu, left, and Denmark's reigning Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, right, to triumph at the Paris-Nice ©Getty Images
Slovenia's Tadej Pogačar, centre, beat France's David Gaudu, left, and Denmark's reigning Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, right, to triumph at the Paris-Nice ©Getty Images

Britain's and Team Jayco-AlUla's Simon Yates trailed Pogačar by 2:14 in fourth.

The sixth stage of the Paris-Nice, the 1974.km hilly stage from Tourves to La Colle-sur-Loup was cancelled for safety reasons due to high winds.

Pogačar also topped the points and young rider classification at the Paris-Nice, while Denmark's and Uno-X Pro Cycling Team's Jonas Gregaard led the mountains rankings.

The Slovenian, a resident of Monaco, believed he handled the Paris-Nice route ably.

"I never participated in Paris-Nice before," Pogačar said.

"I was good at the first races of the season and it was always my goal and my dream to win Paris-Nice.

"I’m very happy.

"They say attack is the best defence.

"I really know these roads, I’ve done lots of training here.

"I know exactly how my legs are in the climbs.

"I was really good with maths today.

"To be alongside Gaudu and Vingegaard on the podium is special

"They are great riders."

The 24-year-old is hoping to reclaim the Tour de France title this year after his overall victories in 2020 and 2021.

The one-day Milan-San Remo in Italy on Saturday (March 18) is expected to be Pogačar's next race on the men's International Cycling Union World Tour.