Richie Porte the man to beat on Tour Down Under queen stage
Australian Richie Porte is aiming for a fourth consecutive victory on Willunga Hill, the Tour Down Under's 'queen' climbing stage
Richie Porte is aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory on Willunga Hill during the 2017 Tour Down Under (January 17-22).
Porte will head BMC Racing's attack on the opening WorldTour race of the 2017 season in Australia – and he has form in the event, having won the 'queen' climbing stage since 2014.
"I've won on Willunga Hill on three occasions, so why not go for the fourth?" said the 31-year-old from Tasmania.
"The atmosphere on Willunga Hill is as good as any race in Europe, so I'm excited to get back there and test my legs."
>>> Tour Down Under 2017: Stage by stage
Porte finished the 2016 TDU in second place overall behind Simon Gerrans (Orica-Scott), after winning stage five on Willunga Hill. He is seeking to go one better in 2017.
It would be the ideal start for Porte, whose first season with BMC in 2016 after switching from Sky didn't quite go to plan after a mechanical issue during the Tour de France saw him lose time – though he rallied to fifth place overall behind former Sky team-mate Chris Froome. Porte's Willunga win was his only victory in 2016.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I love racing in Adelaide and having already been on the podium twice, I'd like to start the year with a good result at the Santos Tour Down Under and hopefully go one better," said Porte.
>>> Tour Down Under 2017 start list
"I've had a particularly long off-season since Rio [Olympic Games] so I'm ready to get back to racing. I have a strong team by my side and as an Australian it's great to have all of the support from fans."
Porte will be supported in the TDU by a strong roster of BMC's riders, including 2015 TDU champion and fellow Australian Rohan Dennis.
Italian Damiano Caruso, Frenchman Amaël Moinard, Australian Miles Scotson, Swiss rider Danilo Wyss and Spaniard Francisco Ventoso complete BMC's line-up for the six-day race.
Porte will face competition from four-time winner Gerrans, Geraint Thomas (Team Sky), Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) and world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).
The 2017 Tour Down Under commences on Tuesday, January 17, and concludes on Sunday, January 22, in Adelaide, South Australia.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
USA Cycling unveils 2025 National Championship schedule with 17 chances to claim the Stars and Stripes jersey
From cycling eSports in February to cyclocross in December, here are the dates and locations for the 2025 season
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tech of the week: A shockingly expensive steel bike from Colnago, a surprisingly affordable carbon bike from Pinarello, DT Swiss energises our cycling lives and Pog's bars are now yours to buy
Colnago's Steelnova is a thing of beauty but you'll pay for the pleasure, while Pinarello's F1 is an inexpensive gateway to the brand. DT Swiss enters the dynamo hub market and Enve brings Pog's cockpit to market
By Luke Friend Published
-
French pro cyclist suffering with memory loss after Tour Down Under crash
‘I have no memory of the crash’ says Rudy Molard of Groupama FDJ after incident in Australia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don't know if I'll be at this team or in cycling next year': Julian Alaphilippe on the Giro d'Italia, finding his form, and his relationship with Patrick Lefevere
Frenchman will focus on the Classics and then the Giro d'Italia in his contract year at Quick-Step
By Adam Becket Published
-
There is so much hope for British cycling, despite the domestic scene’s troubles
Stevie Williams’ victory at the Tour Down Under was just the latest breakthrough ride by a Briton, although there might not be a home UCI stage race to perform at soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Oscar Onley, Isaac del Toro proud but disappointed as both miss out on Tour Down Under victory
Scot finishes fourth, Mexican second, as breakthrough weeks end in dismay
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Underestimated' no more: Stevie Williams powers to victory at Tour Down Under
The 27-year-old from Aberystwyth conquered Mount Lofty on Sunday to take overall victory in Australia, his first WorldTour GC win
By Adam Becket Published
-
Stevie Williams 'over the moon' to be in lead at Tour Down Under ahead of 'tough' final stage
The 27-year-old leads the Australian race on count-back, and is hoping to triumph overall on Sunday
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘He’s worked it out’: Oscar Onley meets his high expectations with Willunga Hill stage win at Tour Down Under
The 21-year-old Scot has shown his potential before, but a first win, at WorldTour level too, proved it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Willunga Hill set to shake up Tour Down Under, with GC battle shrouded in mystery
Two climbing stages follow four days of largely flat racing in South Australia, so the weekend will decide the race
By Adam Becket Published