Richie Porte claims Paris-Nice title as Ireland's Nicolas Roche ends in 16th place

Australia's Richie Porte won the Paris-Nice in style by claiming victory in the final-stage time trial, with Ireland's Nicolas Roche finishing in 16th place overall.

The Team Sky rider clocked a time of 19 minutes 16 seconds on the challenging 9.6 kilometre ascent to Col d'Eze.

American Andrew Talansky of the Garmin-Sharp team came in 23 seconds behind to finish second in the general classification, 55 seconds back.

Porte's victory was the first in the Paris-Nice event for an Australian and the second in succession for Team Sky after Bradley Wiggins' win last year. Wiggins was not competing this year as he focuses on his preparations for the Giro d'Italia in May.

Jean-Christophe Peraud of France came fourth in the stage, behind Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas of Colombia, to take third place overall.

A second American, Tejay van Garderen, finished fourth overall after coming in fifth in the stage.

Roche finished 51st in the time trial, 2:14 behind Porte. That left Roche 16th in the overall standings, 3:23 off Porte's winning time.