EVEN Richie Porte’s opponents think he is the man to beat in this year’s Tour Down Under – a race he is yet to master.
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Launceston’s BMC team leader is in South Australia ahead of his first race since breaking his collarbone at the Rio Olympics in August.
Porte, 31, who has placed second in the prestigious six-stage race in the past two years, will have the support of 2015 winner Rohan Dennis, national champion Miles Scotson, Swiss Danilo Wyss, frenchman Amael Moinard, Spaniard Francisco Ventoso and Italian Damiano Caruso.
Oricia-Scott led by defending four-time champion Simon Gerrans and Paris-Nice winner Geraint Thomas from Sky will be their main rivals.
Porte said on Saturday he was keen to go one step further in 2017: “I'm super motivated for this race this year... it's the most enjoyable race on the calendar”.
Porte has earmarked the second stage to Paracombe and the penultimate day at Willunga, which involves a steep hill climb, as vital stages that may decide the tour’s winner.
Porte has won on Willunga Hill for the past three years.
Oricia-Scott team boss Matt White on Friday labeled the Tour de France fifth-placegetter the man to beat. “He’s the clear favourite because he’s had a better preparation than the other guys and being in Australia, it’s an advantage,” White said.
Campbell Town’s Will Clarke (Cannondale-Drapac) and Hobart’s Nathan Earle (UniSA-Australia) are the only other Tasmanian men competing in the tour, which starts on Sunday with a 50.6km criterium around the streets of Adelaide.
The first stage from Unley to Lyndoch starts on Tuesday.
West Pine cyclist Amy Cure, 22, began her maiden major road race on Saturday with the women’s tour getting under way. The Wiggle High5 team rider said pre-race that she was excited for what lied ahead.
“(It will be about) expanding my skills, knowledge and success of road racing within a professional team, as well as meeting lots of new people along the way and riding with my new teammates,’’ Cure said. Cure’s Rio team pursuit colleague Annette Edmondson is among her teammates, with Great Britain’s Grace Garner and Denmark’s Julie Leth joining Cure as new faces.
Ex-Launceston cyclist Holly Ranson (Mercedes Adelaide Blackchrome) is also participating with the women’s race set to finish on Tuesday night with a stage-four criterium at Victoria Park. Stage two on Sunday will be a 32.2 kilometre criterium in East End.
Corey Martin
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
