Bradley Wiggins blitzed the final time trial of 2012 Paris-Nice, winning the stage and securing the overall title - only the second time that a British rider has won the race, after Tom Simpson in 1967.
As race leader, the Sky rider was last man off in the 9.6km individual test against the clock up Col d'Eze.
Wiggins put in a trademark measured performance to overhaul the two-second intermediate time check deficit over GC challenger Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil) to win the stage by two seconds over the Dutchman.
Only three riders ducked under the 20-minute barrier at the finish: Wiggins, Westra and third-placed Jean Christophe Peraud (Ag2r). To underline the pace of the top two finishers, Peraud was a full 33 seconds adrift of Wiggins.
It was notable that Wiggins was one of the few riders to use an aero helmet, tri-bars and skinsuit on the steep route.
Wiggins finished the whole race eight seconds clear of Westra in the overall classification, and one minute and 10 seconds ahead of third-placed Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). Wiggins also won the points classification ahead of Valverde.
Wiggins put himself into the yellow jersey on stage two. Both he and the British-based Sky team then rode flawlessly throughout the week, avoiding the crashes, splits and stomach viruses that have badly affected other squads in the 'Race to the sun'.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Wiggins' British team-mate Geraint Thomas did not start the race's final stage, returning back home to get ready for a track training session on Monday in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Wiggins is aiming to win the 2012 Tour de France overall and clinch gold in the London 2012 Olympic Games road time trial. His win in the prestigious French stage race on Sunday underlines his place as the front-runner for both events.
Results
Paris-Nice 2012, stage eight: Nice to Col d'Èze, 9.6km ITT
1. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky in 19-12
2. Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM at 2 secs
3. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale at 33 secs
4. Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha at 47 secs
5. Jerome Coppel (Fra) Saur-Sojasun at 51 secs
6. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 52 secs
7. Andreas Kloden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan at 58 secs
8. David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis at 59 secs
9. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-ISD at 59 secs
10. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Sky at 1-06
Final overall classification
1. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky in 28-12-16
2. Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM at 8 secs
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar at 1-10
4. Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha at 1-24
5. Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing at 1-54
6. Arnold Jeannesson (Fra) FDJ-BigMat at 2-13
7. Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack-Nissan at 2-21
8. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 2-42
9. Robert Kiserlovski (Cro) Astana at 3-30
10. Angel Vicioso (Spa) Katusha at 3-59
Points classification: Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky
King of the Mountains: Frederik Veuchelen (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM
Young rider: Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing
Team: Vacansoleil-DCM
Jean-Christophe Peraud was the first rider to go under 20 minutes
Runner-up on stage and overall, Lieuwe Westra
Bradley Wiggins on his way to winning the final stage of Paris-Nice
Bradley Wiggins tops podium, with Lieuwe Westra in second (right) and Alejandro Valverde in third (left)
Bradley Wiggins wins 2012 Paris-Nice overall
Paris-Nice 2012: Latest news
Stomach bug sweeps through Paris-Nice peloton
Andy Schleck out of Paris-Nice with stomach problems
Andy Schleck off pace in Paris-Nice time trial
Paris-Nice 2012: Who will win?
Froome to miss Paris-Nice due to illness
Wiggins for Paris-Nice; Cavendish for Tirreno-Adriatico
Paris-Nice 2012: Race preview and information
Paris-Nice 2012: The Big Preview
Paris-Nice 2012: Stage reports
Stage seven: De Gendt solos to victory; Wiggins edges closer to overall win
Stage six: Sanchez clinches breakaway win
Stage five: Westra wins in France but celebrations may prove costly
Stage four: Meersman wins messy stage
Stage three: Valverde wins, Wiggins keeps lead
Stage two: Wiggins rides into lead
Stage one: Wiggins second to Larsson in opening time trial
Paris-Nice 2012: Photo galleries
Stage eight gallery by Graham Watson
Stage seven gallery by Graham Watson
Stage six gallery by Graham Watson
Stage five gallery by Graham Watson
Stage four gallery by Graham Watson
Stage three gallery by Graham Watson
Stage two gallery by Graham Watson
Stage one gallery by Graham Watson
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
