The competitive rivalry between the 33-year-old Tasmanians dates back more than twice that long, but since cutting their teeth together in Australian domestic events they have taken contrasting career paths to a WorldTour reunion.

Products of Andrew Christie-Johnston’s Hobart-based Praties team, Porte and Clarke both begin two-year contracts with Belgian-based US-backed Trek-Segafredo on January 1.

While Clarke has yoyoed between the sport’s levels, Porte has become one of its top names, winning major European races and developing into a leading Tour de France contender.

But in the process of amassing a dozen teams between them, the pair have remained mates, training partners and big fans of each other’s ability.

“I’m genuinely excited about riding with Will again,” Porte said.

“Not just because he’s one of my best mates but because he is one of the biggest engines in world cycling, that’s a fact. And I don’t think he’s always been used to the best of his abilities.

“I’m really looking forward to riding together and seeing him get opportunities because he can win races. If he attacks at the right time there are not many guys that can bring him back.

“He’s easy going and a good guy to have around so will be a great teammate.”

Returning to a team he shared with the likes of Fabian Cancellara, Stuart O’Grady, Jens Voigt and the Schleck brothers in 2011, Clarke is equally excited about supporting a more familiar face. 

“Trek was actually my first team so it’s nice to be going back and finally be teammates with Richie in the WorldTour,” he said.

“We actually did not do a lot of races together. Richie helped me get into Praties, he gave Andrew a recommendation but he had outgrown the team by the time I joined.

“We did the Tour of Tasmania together in 2008 which Richie won. That was 10 years ago but we always train together. We keep each other motivated and it’s always easy to train with someone who wants to train hard if you are both on the same page.

“I’ve had a couple of lean years results-wise so it would be nice to win a race for myself, help the team do well and help Richie win one of the WorldTour races.”

Both born and schooled in Launceston, the pair first locked horns in the Northern Sports Association of Tasmanian Independent Schools’ assorted sporting arenas.

Hailing from Campbell Town, Clarke went to Launceston Church Grammar and became an excellent track runner while Porte, grew up in Hadspen, went to St Patrick’s College and initially targeted triathlons.

“We’ve been competing against each other since we were 12 years old,” Clarke said. “I remember swimming, running and playing footy against him because we were the same age.

“We had a few tussles. Richie won in the pool and used to beat me in the cross-country. I was second at Marist one year when he won. I was better at shorter events like the 800 and 400m.

“It’s funny we’ve ended up as pro cyclists. We would not have thought about that when running around Symmons Plains at cross-countries or inter-school swimming at the pool.”

Porte helped Clarke join Praties but insists that the impetus behind their latest reunion came more from Trek boss Luca Guercilena who remembered him from their Leopard-Trek days.

“Luca had worked with Will and really wanted him so I was delighted. 

“I remember when I was at Praties Will turning up at races just riding for himself and I said to ACJ that he had a big engine and gave us some big headaches.”

Porte’s pro career with SaxoBank (2010-11), Sky (2012-15) and BMC (2016-18) yielded victories at Paris-Nice (2013 and '15), Volta ao Algarve ('12), Giro del Trentino ('15), Volta a Catalunya  ('15), Tour de Romandie  ('17), Tour Down Under  ('17) and this year’s Tour de Suisse while also helping Alberto Contador, Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome to Grand Tour success.

Since leaving Sky he has spearheaded BMC’s Tour de France campaigns and is expected to do the same for Trek-Segafredo, potentially opening the door for Clarke to ride the world’s biggest race.

“Of course I’d want him on the Tour de France but I’m joining a new team and I don’t know the structure yet but he’s a guy who would be handy to have for sure,” Porte said.

“He’s won stages of the Tour Down Under and Herald Sun Tour and can win anything if he has the right opportunity. Will’s dealt with a lot in his career.”

After graduating from the Continental ranks, Clarke rode WorldTour with AG2R La Mondiale (2010) and Leopard Trek, dropped into Pro-Continental with Champion System (2012), returned to WorldTour for a year with Argos-Shimano before five years with Drapac, the last two at the elite level after the team merged with Cannondale. 

Porte and Clarke have spent the last few weeks training together on their familiar daily Scottsdale loop, frequently joined by a who’s who of Tasmanian sport including cyclists, triathletes and even cross-training athletics world champion marathon runner Josh Harris.

They plan to celebrate their official cycling reunion on January 1 the way they know best – with a shot at their own hotly-contested Strava “world record” for the Rocherlea to Waverley circuit which currently stands at 2:58.15.