Richie Porte downplays form

London : For the last two seasons running, Richie Porte’s year was ended early due to injury. In 2017, Porte recovered from a broken shoulder blade to dominate the Tour Down Under with two stage wins and a 48-second overall winning margin.

In 2018, Porte returns to Adelaide with BMC Racing Team, and is aiming to become the first rider to defend the ochre jersey, but he remains unsure of his exact form with the Tour de France his last stage race. 

Porte crashed out of the Tour on stage 9, his injuries including a broken pelvis and collarbone, but was able to line out at the end of season Japan Cup in October.

Third place in the time trial at the Australian Championships and an aggressive showing in the road race a few days later suggested Porte to be on form ahead of his ochre jersey defence. 

At the traditional Tour Down Under pre-race press conference at the Hilton race hotel, Porte felt the prospect of a fifth straight stage win on Willunga Hill to be more likely than overall victory, though his ambition remains undimmed.

“If it is not expectation to win, it is maybe expectation on Willunga,” Porte said. “I would love to win another Willunga. For me personally, it would be a great way to start the season, and try to win this race again.”

Porte noted that his preparation for the 2018 Tour Down Under has not been dissimilar to his build-up to last year’s race.