Yates produced a stunning solo effort on the penultimate climb to leave the rest of the field and cross the line first.

As a result of the win he has now moved into the top ten of the overall standings.

"I was quite far out in the general classification (GC) this morning so I had a bit of freedom," said Yates.

"I hoped I would be joined by other riders but I was on my own so I just had to go full gas until the end."

Yates is now eighth overall, 1 min 37 secs behind leader Julian Alaphilippe of France.

Colombian Sergio Henao Montoya of Team Sky finished in second place while Australia's Richie Porte attacked twice late on but not could not close the gap on those in front of him, leaving him to cross the line in third.

Alaphilippe remains in the yellow jersey position after finishing safely in fourth position today.

The Frenchman is attempting to become the first man from his nation to win the Paris-Nice since Laurent Jalabert in 1997.

The Quick-Step Floors rider lies 36sec in front of fellow Frenchman Tony Gallopin, of Lotto-Soudal.

As a result of his second place, Henao Montoya is now third in the overall classification, 46sec behind.

Tomorrow will see the cyclists race across 177 kilometres to Col de la Couillole, the penultimate stage of the event.

At the Tirreno–Adriatico from Monterotondo Marittimo to Montalto di Castro, Slovakia's world road race champion Peter Sagan came out on top on stage three.