Bobby Julich has become the first American cyclist to win the Paris-Nice race in France.
Julich finished in the main pack of cyclists in Sunday's seventh and final stage. Spaniard Alejandro Valverde won the stage, emerging from a sprint finish in 3:28:29. The 135-kilometer trek began and ended in Nice. Italian rider Franco Pellizotti placed second in the stage ahead of Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg.
Valverde finished second in the overall standings, 10 seconds behind Julich. Spaniard Constantino Zaballa was third.
The 33-year-old Julich also won the bronze medal in the time trial at last year's Athens Olympics in Greece. He has based his training in the Mediterranean city of Nice for the last eight years.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.