Tasmanian Richie Porte reveals how it felt to miss the birth of his daughter at the Tour de France

The biggest prize of all awaits Tasmanian Richie Porte once he finishes the 2020 Tour de France in Paris.

• Porte says 2020 Tour de France likely to be his last
• Porte’s former Sky teammate a hero in the coronavirus war

IT was an extraordinary Father’s Day for Tasmanian Richie Porte who said it “hurt” like hell to miss the birth of his second child, but he celebrated by climbing seven places in the overall standings at the Tour de France.

Porte’s wife Gemma gave birth to their daughter Eloise on Saturday in their European home of Monaco while Richie competed in stage seven in the Pyrenees Mountains, where he lost 1m21s on the overall lead.

The 35-year-old from Launceston was inspired by the arrival of his baby girl – joining son Luca – as he climbed from 20th to 13th outright, and is back in contention for the overall win or a place in the top 10 come the finish in Paris on September 20.

Richie Porte’s baby daughter Eloise was born on Saturday.

Porte was ecstatic at the safe arrival of Eloise and he can’t wait to see her.

“While yesterday was bitterly disappointing on the bike, my wife Gemma and I had this little bundle of joy arrive,” he said.

“It hurts more than words can express to miss the birth of your child but, thank you @treksegafredo [his team] for being so supportive.

“It will be a long and tough race mentally now but the biggest gift awaits after Paris.”

Richie Porte during stage eight of the 2020 Tour de France. He missed the birth of his second child while racing. Picture: Tim de Waele/Getty

Porte and Gemma made the agonising decision for him to compete in the 2020 race, possibly his last time in the Tour de France, at least as a team leader.

“Coming into the Tour I knew that it was a possibility that I’d miss the birth,” Porte said.

“No parent wants that, but I think it really puts everything in perspective.

“Obviously I’d have loved to have been there for the birth but the Tour’s the objective at the moment.

“It’s going to be a long two weeks but I’m looking forward to getting home and meeting her.

“It doesn’t mean I’m not motivated for the next few days or weeks even. It really weighs it all up and we’ve still got good spirits here and we’ll fight onto Paris.”