While the 160 kilometre stage looked to be destined for a bunch sprint approaching the second ascent of the Côte de Breuil-Bois-Robert, a team effort from Jumbo-Visma ensured that wouldn't be the case, as the climb began with a bunch and ended with a trio of yellow jerseys alone up the road.
Australian Rohan Dennis and Mike Teunissen kicked things off with an acceleration to the foot of the climb that started to form splits in the bunch, before Nathan Van Hooydonck took over with blistering pace to push the already tired rivals even harder.
Laporte then surged to the front with Roglič and van Aert on his wheel and only Zdeněk Štybar (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) was able to follow the trio for a short time before relenting as the Jumbo trio sailed over the top of the climb free of the pack with six kilometres to the finish.
The more highly-credentialled pair then allowed their domestique to take a memorable stage win and the leaders' jersey, with Laporte top of the general classification four seconds ahead of Roglič and six ahead of van Aert in an absolutely dominant display for the team.
“I have to thank the team. Wout told me in the final kilometre that it was for me, so it’s really a nice gift for me," Laporte said following the stage.
"I’ve won my first Paris-Nice stage and I’m in the yellow jersey. If someone had told me that at the start of the day I wouldn’t have believed it. To go to the finish with three, it’s incredible."
The former Cofidis rider explained the original plan was to launch a solo attack to help leader Roglič's chances on GC, but the finish ended up panning out in an opportunity for Laporte's own glory.
"The plan from the beginning was to keep Primož on same time as the other GC guys, and we thought to do the sprint for Wout," he said. "But the team told me I can attack on the last climb to make the race harder.
"I did that but Wout and Primož were in my wheel and we were only three and we went for it."
"At 1km to go Wout told me ‘it’s for you today’. It’s a nice gift for me. At the time, it was a little bit full gas but I was very happy. I’m a French guy, it’s Paris-Nice, it’s a big race for French guys and all riders. It’s two big champions and it’s very nice to see they gave the win for me."
Van Aert was also surprised at just how easily his team were able to carve out such a dominant victory, but was obviously happy that it happened the way it did and they were able to sacrifice the win to give Laporte a perfect start with his new team.
"For sure at the top I was surprised we were only with three, and especially three from the team - it’s quite unique I think," the Belgian said.
"It was also in our advantage that there was nobody left because then we could go full to the line without hesitating. It was a perfect way to finish it off.
"He (Laporte) deserves this win. He’s a strong rider, I got to know him only this winter but he’s super friendly, and from the time we’ve spent together he’s always part of the team.
"For him to win a stage at Paris-Nice here in France is pretty big. Primož could take also some nice advantages on GC so this is a perfect way to finish it off."
Watch a full replay of Stage 1 here:
The 2022 Paris-Nice continues tonight with Stage 2, a flat 159.5 kilometre journey from Auffargis to Orléans that looks destined for the first bunch sprint of the race. Watch the action LIVE from 12:15am (AEDT) on SBS and SBS On Demand.
