But the 2017 champion took some solace on a return to competitive cycling. 

For the fourth time in his glittering road career, Porte stood on the Tour Down Under podium after securing second overall on Sunday.

The fact to concede the tour to South African Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) on a countback over previous stage results, after falling a miserly second behind on the penultimate stage, was of little consequence.  

“Obviously, I would have liked to be first,” Porte said.

“But with hindsight, Daryl Impey did a fantastic race.

“He rode smart all week – he’s obviously in great form. 

“So, to win Willunga (Hill) for a fifth time in a row still feels pretty good.”

There was no change to the podium after the traditional stage-six city circuit when German Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) captured the final win in a bunch sprint.

But the Hadspen rider did miss out on a chance to create a rare piece of history in the race’s short lifespan, as the first-ever back-to-back champion to claim the ochre jersey in its 20 years.

“Coming back as the defending champion, it would have been nice to win again,” the 32-year-old said.

“But I think my team did all that we could to try and win the race. We went down swinging (on Saturday). 

“All things considered, I’m pretty happy to be second here with a stage win as well.”

Multiple attacks early on the final day gave way to a two-rider breakaway to go clear, with an advantage of more than two minutes during the 90km stage.

But the sprinters’ teams that assisted Impey were too strong and brought the race back together with three, of twenty, laps to go.

Porte would finish 42^nd on the last day – 18 places behind fellow Tasmanian Nathan Earle.

The Hobart rider ended his tour 21^st overall, some 29 seconds from the winner.

Campbell Town’s Will Clarke crossed the line on Sunday in 90^th, and 16 minutes and five seconds further behind in 65^th of general classification. Hobart’s Scott Bowden finished well back in 112^th to eventually earn 119^th from 125 riders.

Porte’s final performance for general classification had been backed up by solid teamwork, including that of 2015 Adelaide winner Rohan Dennis, whose strength on Willunga Hill on Saturday helped set the stage for his teammate’s victory and a chance for the overall lead.

The BMC head rider will wrap up his Australian season at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, just outside Geelong, next Sunday.

But Porte is already eyeing further ahead than just that.

“I’m now looking forward to getting back to Europe and really getting my season started – I’m super motivated for this year,” he said.

“I was last year too, but I think this year everything is looking up.”