Tadej Pogacar celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the 8th and final stage of the 81st Paris - Nice cycling race in Nice, France, on Sunday. AFP

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

UAE Team Emirates’ ace Tadej Pogacar dominated the final stage with a solo escape to win the Paris-Nice race title on Sunday, marking his maiden entry in style to the eight-day race.

A two-time Tour de France champion finished alone to win a third individual stage in the race.

David Gaudu finished second overall, 53 seconds behind Pogacar, while Jonas Vingegaard was third at 1 minute, 39 seconds back.

"Winning Paris-Nice has always been my dream,” said the delighted Slovenian in his post race interview.

"The competition here was really huge. It's nice to share the podium with Jonas Vingegaard and David Gaudu, "said Pogacar.

The Team Emirates rider completed the 118-kilometer trek around Nice in 2 hours, 51 minutes, 2 seconds.

Pogacar has altered his schedule in an effort to win back the Tour de France championship he lost to Vingegaard in 2022.

Pogacar and Vingegaard both started the season strongly. Last month in Spain, Pogacar won the Tour of Andalucia while Vingegaard won the O Gran Camino.