Olympics: Richie Porte chosen to represent Australia in road cycling at Tokyo

Tour de France podium cyclist Richie Porte is part of a strong Australian road cycling team for the Tokyo Olympics.

Tour de France podium finisher Richie Porte has described his Olympics selection as a “career highlight” after being named in Australia’s nine-strong road cycling team for the Tokyo Games.

Porte placed third overall at last year’s Tour de France and was part of a stage-winning time trial team in the 2018 edition of cycling’s greatest race.

“The Olympics is a massive career highlight for me,” said 36-year-old Tasmanian Porte, who is heading to his second Games.

“You don’t take for granted to be selected for the team in a country like Australia, as it has so many worthy guys to choose from, so to just make the team, it’s a big honour.

“I think it’s going to be a fantastic Games. I look forward to just getting there and racing. I think it’s a fantastic course, it’s going to be hard, but we can aim to be up there for the podium.”

The road cycling team also includes another Tour de France team trial stage winner in Cameron Meyer, two-time individual time trial world champion Rohan Dennis and dual world championship medallist Amanda Spratt.

Richie Porte is heading to Tokyo after being chosen in his second Olympic team. Picture: Luc Claessen/Getty Images

Games debutants Grace Brown, Sarah Gigante, Tiffany Cromwell, Jack Haig and track endurance rider Alexandra Manly have also been selected.

“It just feels so surreal to be named a member in my first Australian Olympic Team,” said Gigante, a three-time national road title winner.

“Going to the Olympics is one of those things I always dreamed of, but it always seemed like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow … and a bit of a fantasy.”

AusCycling performance director Simon Jones said it had been a tough team to pick.

“The selection process never gets easier and that’s because we have a strong and competitive team,” Jones said.

“I’m immensely proud of the riders who will be representing Australia in Tokyo, and we are very excited to see how everyone in the team meets the challenge of what’s likely to be a unique Games experience.”

Australian Olympic Team chef de mission Ian Chesterman praised the Tokyo-bound cyclists.

“The team includes a vast array of experience and success at the highest levels, which will prove invaluable as they take on the best in the world in Tokyo,” Chesterman said,

“The road cyclists are all currently training and racing in challenging conditions around the world, and today’s selection is testament to the incredible effort and determination they have shown throughout their riding careers.”

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Originally published as Olympics: Richie Porte chosen to represent Australia in road cycling at Tokyo