Launceston cyclist Richie Porte is philosophical about the 3540 kilometres between him and his dream of winning the Tour de France.
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Betting companies list the Tasmanian level with good friend and three-time champion Chris Froome at $2.50 to win Le Tour.
And while Porte said the course doesn’t do him many favours, he believes the customary combination of strength, support and fortune will determine the winner.
“I would have liked a few more uphill finishes,” the climbing specialist told The Examiner.
“There are some big climbs but about four stages end with a descent to the finish and that just adds a bit of danger where I would prefer to finish at the top of the mountain.
“It does change things but at the end of the day the road will decide as it always does so there’s not much point moaning about it.”
Assessing the 21 stages from Düsseldorf to Paris as he faces his seventh straight Tour de France, the 32-year-old Launceston rider remains confident of improving on last year’s fifth place.
“There are only three mountain-top finishes, I would prefer a few more and there’s not a lot of time trialling,” he said.
“But it is still a hard Tour over some of the biggest climbs in Europe so the road will still settle the battles.”
Leading a BMC Team featuring many Tour veterans, Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet and just one debutant, Porte is feeling confident as he heads to Germany for the opening stage 14km time trial.
“It’s just nice to be in a situation where I’m riding for one of the biggest teams in the world who have faith to build a team around me.
“I’m old enough, I’m experienced enough and I’m ready.”