Wiggins was leading the Dutchman by six seconds overnight and held firm in the 9.6-kilometer (6-mile) uphill dash from Nice to Col d'Eze to become the first Briton to win the race since Tom Simpson in 1967. Wiggins beat Westra by eight seconds overall.
"It was very tough. I had a lead of only six seconds and I was a bit worried because I knew Westra was strong in the climbs," Wiggins said. "There were some parts (of the route) where it was a bit flatter, that helped me, but it was hard." Wiggins paid homage to Simpson, who — just months after his Paris-Nice win — died on the '67 Tour de France on a climb up Mont Ventoux.
"I know the history of cycling, it's a massive thing for me," Wiggins said. "It's an historic race, and it's an honor for me to join my idol Tom Simpson on the Paris-Nice list (of winners)." Alejandro Valverde had 18 seconds to make up on Wiggins, and that proved too much as he slipped 1:10 behind overall, but the Spaniard did enough to finish third ahead of Slovenia's Simon Spilak, with American rider Tejay Van Garderen finishing the race in fifth place.
"In terms of pressure, it was nothing compared to an Olympic final on track. You can also enjoy the moment," said Wiggins, who showed little signs of weakness during the race. "I was confident in my ability, I stayed in the front all week and did not put a foot wrong." The 31-year-old Wiggins is expected to be among the contenders to win the Tour de France later this year.
"I've already finished fourth on the Tour, third on the (Spanish) Vuelta, first at the Criterium du Dauphine (Libere) and Paris-Nice," Wiggins said. "I know I'll be among the best on the Tour. I don't know about the favorite, because there's four months to go, but (I'm) in the top five with (Cadel) Evans, the Schlecks (brothers Andy and Frank)." Wiggins now feels ready to handle the pressure of being a favorite at the Tour in July, where he will share the spotlight with Sky teammate Mark Cavendish, a sprint specialist.
"I said Paris-Nice was a stepping stone, no disrespect for Paris-Nice," Wiggins said. "But I must continue that progression to July now."
