Tadej Pogacar claimed the final stage of Paris-Nice in splendid fashion taking an emphatic solo stage win and finishing in first place in the overall General Classification.
Today’s stage saw the riders cover 118.4km, starting and finishing in Nice, with five classified climbs on the menu.
It was on the slopes of the Col d’Eze, 19km from the finish, where the Slovenian rider broke away from an elite group of rivals, crossing the finish line alone to celebrate his third stage victory in this his first participation of the ‘race to the sun’.
Pogacar: “It was always my dream to win Paris-Nice. The fact I did it is incredible. They say sometimes that attack is the best defence. I really know these roads well as I live quite close by and I train on them regularly. I knew exactly how my legs were on the final climb and how much I could spend to get to the top and I managed to judge it well.”
The Slovenian claims the Final GC in his first presence at the Paris-Nice and his 9th victory of the season so far.
Paris-Nice Stage 8 results:
1.Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 2h51’02”
2.Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) +33”
3.David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) s.t.
Paris-Nice Final General Classification:
1.Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 24h01’38”
2.David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) +53”
3.Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) +1’39”
At Tirreno-Adriatico Joao Almeida secured the 2nd spot in the Final General Classification and the white jersey as the Best Young Rider.
After the solid third place in yesterday’s stage, the Portuguese stayed safe in the group while the sprinters were battling for the day.
UAE Team Emirates conquered first place in the final Teams Classification with Adam Yates also placed 10th in the GC.
Tirreno-Adriatico stage 8 results
1.Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 3:32:36
2.Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-Alula) s.t
3.Alberto Dainese (DSM) s.t
Tirreno-Adriatico Final General Classification:
1.Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 28h38’57”
2.João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +18”
3.Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers) + 23”
10.Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) + 1’15”