Lionel Cironneau / AP

Richie Porte posted a time of 19 minutes, 16 seconds over the 6 miles from Nice to Col d'Eze to become the first Australian to win the race.

updated 2:17 p.m. ET March 10, 2013

COL D'EZE, France - Australian rider Richie Porte has won the Paris-Nice race after a dominant victory on the final time trial stage.

Porte was in the leader's yellow jersey overnight and needed only to protect his lead. But he attacked from the start and dominated his rivals on the uphill time trial, finishing 23 seconds ahead of American cyclist Andrew Talansky, who was also second overall.

The 28-year-old Porte posted a time of 19 minutes, 16 seconds over the 6 miles from Nice to Col d'Eze to become the first Australian to win the race.

He follows in the footsteps of Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins, who won the race last year before going on to win the Tour de France.