Tour Down Under: Richie Porte targeting successful defence

Richie Porte has welcomed the pressure coming back on him for this week’s Santos Tour Down Under.

Richie Porte, left, waits for the start of the People’s Choice Classic on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Richie Porte has welcomed the pressure coming back on him for this week’s Santos Tour Down Under (TDU) if not to defend his title then to win on Old Willunga Hill for a fifth year in a row.

The BMC leader starts today’s race as favourite for the ochre jersey but will be simply looking to avoid trouble and splits in the bunch on a sprinter-friendly Stage 1 from Port Adelaide to Lyndoch.

No rider has ever gone back-to-back in the TDU’s 19-year history and Porte is hoping to change that.

“To win the Tour Down Under last year after being close so many times was great,” Porte said. “But I’d still love to do it again.

“Simon (Gerrans) and I were talking about it the other day that nobody has ever gone back-to-back.

“If there is not expectation (on me) to win (again) then there will be expectation to win on Willunga and I’d love to win another Willunga. It would be a great way to start the season to try to win this race again.

“And for an Aussie it’s the best race to win, it’s easily the best race in Australia and the biggest race and it’s a great one to have on your palmares.

“To see your name on the stairs as you walk into the Hilton, for an Aussie cyclist or anyone it’s quite an achievement.

“Certainly last Sunday’s national road race was hard, but not quite hard enough. For me it was a nice hit-out and I think my form is pretty good; not sure if it’s as good as last year but we will see.”

Porte said he felt good in Sunday night’s People’s Choice Classic and was excited for the race proper to begin.

“I had good sensations last night but we have a fantastically strong team here as well so I’m super-motivated and looking forward to kicking the season off proper (on Tuesdaytoday),” he said.

Riders are bracing for warm weather, including a sweltering 41C for Thursday’s Stage 3 from Glenelg to Victor Harbor.

Former winner Rohan Dennis said he would need to adjust to conditions, just like the visiting European riders, after spending his pre-season in Andorra. “I came here after Christmas so it will be a bit of a worry for me more than these guys (teammates) but having that hit-out at nationals, four hours in some sort of heat was the best thing I could do,” he said.