The UAE Team Emirates star finished the 148 kilometres course in 3hr 20min 24sec as he won the general classification and the young rider classification at just 23.

The win meant that he defended his title from 2021 while Britain's Adam Yates, riding for Ineos Grenadiers, came second on the final stage finishing just one second behind.

Spaniard Pello Bilbao was five seconds off the lead as he claimed third place for Team Bahrain Victorious.

The 2019 champion Yates threw everything he had at Pogačar in the last five kilometres, but the Slovenian unleashed a final burst of power over the top of the mountain to record a narrow stage triumph.

It was the second of seven stage wins for Pogačar after he was victorious in stage four - the only other mountainous stage of the race.

"It’s really important, a really big goal for us as a team," said Pogačar.

"It’s the first race of the season but for us it’s one of the most important races so I’m super proud and happy.

"I was in the overall lead ahead of him [Yates] so I didn’t need to attack, I just had to follow.

"We all know his attacks are one of the best in the world.

"At one moment I was really suffering but luckily Adam also slowed down a bit, so it went all perfect for me.

"I’m so happy to take the win here for the third time.

"I guess it suits me well, it’s a really hard climb but then in the end there’s a bit of tactical play always."

In the final standings of the general classification, Yates was 22 seconds slower than Pogačar's 25hr 28min 16sec overall with Bilbao claiming bronze, 48 seconds off the winner.

The UAE Tour marked the beginning of the International Cycling Union World Tour.

The second event also took place today, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad one-day race which was won by Belgium's Wout van Aert.