The Slovenian, a double Tour de France winner, finished alone to clinch a third individual stage on the race, bowing to the crowds as he crossed the line, with Frenchman David Gaudu ending second overall and Jonas Vingegaard in third.

"It was always my dream to win Paris-Nice," the Slovenian said.

"The competition here was really huge. To be alongside David Gaudu and Jonas Vingegaard on the podium is special," Pogacar said.

Pogacar has changed his schedule this season in a bid to regain the Tour de France title he let slip to Vingegaard in 2022.

He was leading going into Sunday's mountainous stage in the Nice back-country and made a solo break on the final climb, Col D'Eze.

"I really know these roads," said the Monaco resident.

"I knew exactly how my legs were on the final climb. I  was really good with maths today. I calculated it great."

The FDJ Groupama rider Gaudu also put himself on the season's map with this performance.

"It's a super result, it's not always you can go on the podium in a World Tour stage race," said the French climber.

"Pogacar was the strongest. There was nothing much you could do."

Danish Tour de France champion Vingegaard of Jumbo came third after a mini-meltdown this week, when he lost time after attacking too hard.

"I still have to improve," he said Sunday.