Richie Porte (Sky) comfortably won the 2013 Paris-Nice on Sunday after demolishing the competition on the final stage, a 9.6 km uphill time trial to Col d’Eze.

Porte crossed the line 23 seconds faster than Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp), pounding the American into second on the day. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar) took third at 27 seconds, having looked like a possible winner for a considerable time.

 “I can’t believe it. It’s just an honour to have my name up there with Bradley Wiggins, Tony Martin, all the big champions,” said Porte to the TV reporters before climbing on to the podium.  Porte is the first Australian to win Paris-Nice, and he also assumes the lead in the UCI WorldTour.

“I’m still doing my apprenticeship. I don’t expect to go to the Tour and ride for general classification. But next year I might go to the Giro to ride for myself. I’m going to take it as it comes. Whatever happens we’re gonna have a hell of a team for the Tour de France.”

Result, 7th stage:

1 Richie Porte - Sky 19.16
2 Andrew Talansky - Garmin-Sharp 0.23”
3 Nairo Quintana - Movistar 0.27”
4 Jean-Christophe Peraud - AG2r-La Mondiale 0.32”
5 Tejay van Garderen - BMC 0.52”
6 Simon Spilak - Katusha 0.55”
7 Diego Ulissi - Lampre 1.00”
8 Michele Scarponi - Lampre 1.03”
9 Sylvain Chavanel - Omega Pharma-Quick Step 1.05”
10 Ion Izagirre Insausti - Euskaltel - Euskadi 1.06”

General Classification:

1 Richie Porte - Sky 29.59.47
2 Andrew Talansky - Garmin-Sharp 0.55
3 Jean-Christophe Peraud - AG2r-La Mondiale 1.21
4 Tejay van Garderen - BMC 1.44
5 Sylvain Chavanel - Omega Pharma-Quick Step 1.47
6 Simon Spilak - Katusha 1.48
7 Diego Ulissi - Lampre 1.54
8 Liewue Westra - Vacansoleil-DCM 2.17
9 Andreas Klöden - RadioShack-Nissan 2.22
10 Peter Velits - Omega Pharma-Quick Step 2.28