PARIS, March 10, 2013 (AFP) – Team Sky rider Richie Porte became the first
winner of Paris-Nice on Sunday as he won the final stage 9.6km time-trial to
hold off the challenge of American Andrew Talansky.
The 28-year-old began the day with a 32sec lead over Talansky in the
prestigious race and came home in a time of 19min 16secs to wrap up the
overall victory.
He increased his overall advantage 55secs with a rock solid showing in the
time-trial that featured a rolling course suited to his talents and finishing
with the only summit finish of the week-long race.
The Tasmania native, who only turned professional in 2010, picked up the
biggest win of his career, although he had finished seventh in his debut
season on the Giro d’Italia after holding the leader’s pink jersey for three
days and finishing the race at best young rider.
“To succeed such great names as (Tony) Martin and Bradley (Wiggins) is huge
for me. I feel very honoured,” he enthused after the race.
“I just never thought or believed that I could win Paris-Nice. For me personally I’ve never had a nice experience at this race so it’s a massive monkey off the back to come here and win it.
“I woke up this morning and I knew that I had good legs. After the armchair ride that I got from the team yesterday – as well as on stage five and for the entire week – I knew I’d be in good shape. The guys were just incredible this race.
“I don’t feel like I’m ready to lead at a Grand Tour yet. My goal is to go to the Tour and support Chris and Brad. Do that and maybe next year I could potentially lead Team Sky at the Giro.”
Frenchman Jean-Christophe Peraud snatched the final place on the overall
podium by finishing fourth on the day to push American Tejay Van Garderen into
fourth overall while compatriot Sylvain Chavanel had to settle for fifth.
Results from the seventh and final stage of Paris-Nice, a 9.6km individual time-trial here on Sunday.
Stage
1. Richie Porte (AUS/SKY), 19min 16sec, 2. Andrew Talansky (USA/GRM) at
23sec, 3. Nairo Quintana (COL/MOV) 27, 4. Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) 32,
5. Tejay Van Garderen (USA/BMC) 52, 6. Simon Spilak (SLO/KAT) 55, 7. Diego
Ulissi (ITA/LAM) 1min, 8. Michele Scarponi (ITA/LAM) 1:03, 9. Sylvain
Chavanel (FRA/OPQ) 1:05, 10. Ion Izagirre (ESP/EUS) 1:06, 11. Andreas Kloden
(GER/RSH) 1:16, 12. Arnold Jeannesson (FRA/FDJ) 1:17, 13. Jerome Coppel
(FRA/COF) 1:17, 14. David Lopez (ESP/SKY) 1:18, 15. Stefan Denifl (AUT/IAM)
1:25, 16. Amael Moinard (FRA/BMC) 1:26, 17. Alberto Losada (ESP/KAT) 1:30, 18.
Javier Moreno (ESP/MOV) 1:31, 19. Denis Menchov (RUS/KAT) 1:32, 20. Lieuwe
Westra (NED/VAC) 1:35
Overall
1. Richie Porte (AUS/SKY) 29hr 59min 47sec, 2. Andrew Talansky (USA/GRM) at
55sec, 3. Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) 1:21, 4. Tejay Van Garderen
(USA/BMC) 1:44, 5. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA/OPQ) 1:47, 6. Simon Spilak (SLO/KAT)
1:48, 7. Diego Ulissi (ITA/LAM) 1:54, 8. Lieuwe Westra (NED/VAC) 2:17, 9.