Three stage victories and the general classification. Tadej Pogacar dominated Paris-Nice with all his talent, winning in his first participation in the “race of the sun”. David Gaudu finished 53 seconds behind the Slovenian and came between the winner of the Tours de France 2020 and 2021 and the 2022 winner, Jonas Vingegaard. The Dane finished 3rd overall, 1’39” behind Pogacar.
Yellow jersey on the back, the Slovenian from UAE took off this Sunday in the Col d’Eze, the last ascent of this 81st edition, to win alone on the Promenade des Anglais, with 33 seconds in advance. on Vingegaard and Gaudu. “I had never participated in this race before. It has always been my goal to win Paris-Nice, it was even a dream, so it’s incredible, “he commented after crossing the finish line, bowing to the public.
“The level was very high. So sharing the podium with Gaudu and Vingegaard is very special, they are two excellent riders. If I don’t win anything until the end of the season, it will still be successful,” he added.
A perfect start to the season
We don’t have to take “Pogi’s” word for it. Irresistible since the start of the season, the Monegasque resident now has nine successes in 13 days of racing in 2023, including two general classifications with also a victory in the Tour of Andalusia.
“Attack is the best defence. I know these roads by heart, I often train here, I knew the climbs, I knew what I had to do to get to the top alone, ”concluded Pogacar, who came as a neighbor.