Roglič was the fastest in the finish after looking the strongest on the final climb of the 155 kilometre Stage 7 of Paris-Nice from Nice to Col de Turini. The summit finish saw the riders climb for 14.9 kilometres at 7.3 per cent.
After a number of attacks on the early slopes, Australian Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) continued to push the pace working for Roglič as the peloton reduced in numbers on the finishing climb. Roglič put in a massive attack with six kilometres left of the climb, with Dani Martínez (INEOS Grenadiers) the only one able to follow.
Simon Yates (Team BikeExchange) and Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) formed behind as the strongest chasers, and managed to hunt down Martínez and Roglič with three kilometres left.
Yates then attacked twice as the quartet approached the finish but the others were able to respond, and the resulting lull in preparation for the final dash to the line allowed João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) to make contact just as the sprint was launched.
Inside the last 200 metres, Roglič made his move up the inside of the final bend, immediately getting a gap and maintaining it to the finish to take the victory ahead of Martinez and Yates.
"I had the legs today so it was a great day," said Roglič. "You put a lot of sacrifice and training into it, it's not out of nothing. So when you can finish it off and have the possibility to be the best is something great."
Roglič leads by 47 seconds going into the final Paris-Nice stage ahead of Yates with Martínez sitting one minute behind, but the Slovenian still had memories of last year on his mind, after he crashed on a descent during the last stage after leading coming into the final day, subsequently losing the race overall to Max Schachmann (BORA-hansgrohe).
"We saw last year that tomorrow will be a super demanding one," said Roglič. "I know these roads and the Col d’Eze, it will be tough."
Paris-Nice continues on SBS with Stage 8, a short and climbing-filled day in the saddle over 115 kilometres, starting and finishing in Nice. Watch from 0110 AEDT on SBS and SBS On Demand for the final, frenetic stage of action to conclude the 2022 edition of Paris-Nice.
