Top five results in the 9.6-kms 7th stage of Paris-Nice:

1. Richie Porte (Australia, SKY) 19:16

2. Andrew Talansky (U.S. BMC)  23 secs behind

3. Nairo Quintana (Colombia, MOV) 27 secs behind

4. Jean-Christophe Peraud (France, ALM) 32 secs behind

5. Tejay Van Garderen (U.S., BMC) 52 secs behind

In 19:15, Australia's Richie Porte (SKY) wins the final stage of Paris-Nice and becomes the first Australian to win the Race to the Sun.

In 19:39, Andrew Talansky (GRS) takes the lead with a four seconds lead over Quintana.

Sylvain Chavanel (OPQ) is 7th fastest in 20:21, 38 seconds behind Quintana.

Second fastest at the moment, Jean-Christophe Peraud (ALM) crashed in the first turn...

Second last year, on the heels of Bradley Wiggins, Lieuwe Westra is very disappointing in 20:51.

The Australian yellow jersey holder is 21 seconds faster than Andrew Talansky (GRS) at the intermediate timing.

Jean-Christophe Peraud (ALM) beats the 20 minute mark in 19:48 but is five seconds behind Quintana. He clocks a very similar time as last year's.

Second time for Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) in 20:08, 25 seconds behind Quintana.

Jean-Christophe Peraud (ALM) is fastest at the intermediate in 11:51.

Simon Spilak (KAT) clocks the second best time in 20:11, 28 seconds behind Quintana.

Diego Ulissi (LAM) is second fatest on the finish line in 20:16, 33 seconds behind Quintana.

At the intermediate check, Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) is fourth fastest in 12 minutes, slightly behind Diego Ulissi (LAM).

Yellos jersey holder Richie Porte (SKY) is on course. All the riders in this Paris-Nice have now started.

Fourth in Paris-Nice last year, and also fourth on the stage to Col d'Eze, Simon Spilak (KAT) is fastest ay the intermediate time check on 11:53.

Former junior world champion Diego Ulissi (LAM) is second fastest at the intermediate timing, five seconds behind Quintana.

Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) is on the course. The last five starters will soon be on their way to fight it out for the outcome of this Paris-Nice.

Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ) clocks the 4th fastest time in 20:33.

Nairo Quintana (MOV) was one of the favourites on this Paris-Nice and was slightly disappointing on Montagne de Lure. His time of 19:43 would have placed him on the podium last year. 

Nairo Quintana (MOV) is the first rider under 20 minutes in 19:43 at an average speed of 29.2 kph. He leaves Scarponi 36 seconds adrift.

At the intermediate timing (km 5.6) Colombia's Nairo Quintana (MOV) is the first rider under 12 minutes in 11:55.

Michele Scarponi (LAM) is now in the lead. The former Giro winner improved on Ion Izagirre's time by three seconds.

Ion Izaguirre Inausti (EUS) is the new provisional leader on 20:22. He improves Copppel's time by 11 seconds.

20:33 for Jerome Coppel (COF), the fastest time by 14 seconds over Javier Moreno (MOV) .

Johann Tshcopp (IAM) finished in 21:28. The Swiss is the best climber in this Paris-Nice.

Spain's Javier Moreno (MOV) is the new leader in 20:47. He bettered Cattaneo's time by four seconds.

In 20:51, Italy's Mattia Cattaneo (LAM) improves Jeremy Roy's mark by eight seconds.

Australia's Rory Sutherland (TST) is now second fastest in 21:17, 18 seconds behind Jeremy Roy.

Jesus Herrada Lopze (MOV) is second fastest now on 21:23.

Former green jersey holder Elia Viviani today tweeted that his goal today was to improve on his time last year. Mission accomplished: 22:32 against 23:18 last year.

The Briton holds the fastest time on the climb in 19:12 (30 kph) but on a shorter course than the one on which Sean Kelly clocked 19:45 in 1986 at an average speed of 30.4 kph.

France's Jeremy Roy (FDJ) leads comofrtably now in 20:59.

Prologue winner Damien Gaudin (EUC) is fastest on 22:11.

David Millar (GRS) finishes in a disappointing 23:51.

Rick Flens (BLA) is the first rider to finish in 22:35.

In L'Equipe, Sylvain Chavanel tells how while he doubts his chances to finish on the podium of Paris-Nice and already sets his sights on the upcoming classics: "The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are the ones that suit me best. I usually fare well but there was always a little something missing, a bit of luck. Roubaix is really dear to my heart and I have it at the back of my mind."
L'Equipe also reported that stage 1 winner Nacer Bouhanni, who crashed in stage 2, would not...

Andrew Talansky ‏@andrewtalansky
"A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways as they are capable of understanding"

ELIA VIVIANI ‏@eliaviviani
‪#ParisNice‬ here is the last stage, a climbing time trial in Nice… Nice! My objective? Beat my time of last year.

PHILIPPE GILBERT ‏@PhilippeGilbert
Almost a nice win in Nice! Thank you to the guys today.

Katusha are leading the team standings with a 45 seconds lead over AG2R and a 1:08 gap over Astana.

The polka-dot jersey is on the back of Swiss Johann Tschopp (IAM), who can no longer be caught by closest rival Thierry Hupond of France (ARG). His 40 points lead should lead the Swiss to ride safely towards the podium up Col d'Eze.

Andrew Talansky (GRS) leads fellow-American Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) by 20 seconds and Italian Diego Ulissi (LAM) by 22. The white jersey could still change hands on Col d'Eze.

David Millar (GRS) started too. The Scot is in the unusual position of starting a time trial in second position.

The first starter of the day, Dutchman Rick Flens (BLA) is now on the course.

Sylvain Chavanel (OPQ) is a solid leader on 76 points, but he can still be caught by Andrew Talansky (GRS), who lies 15 points behind him and should normally finish ahead of him in the time trial up Col d'Eze. Borut Bozic (AST) is one point behind Talansky bur probably missed his chance in the final sprint to Nice on stage 6.

Richie Porte (SKY) retained his yellow jersey thanks to a great teamwork by Vasili Kiryienka and David Lopez Garcia in the descent towards Nice in stage 6. The Australian tackles the climb to the Col d'Eze, above his residence of Monaco, with a 32 seconds lead over American Andrew Talansky (GRS). Sylvain Chavanel (OPQ) took the third place overall, 42 seconds adrift, thanks to his stage victory on Promenade des Anglais.

Welcome on the 7th and final stage of Paris-Nice, a 9.6-kms individual time trial from Nice to Col d'Eze.