Richie Porte returns for Tour Down Under but as a spectator - "It’s nice to come as a fan of cycling and just enjoy the atmosphere"

Richie Porte has returned to Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, but this time as a spectator, not a professional cyclist. He is also using this opportunity to reconnect with his former Ineos Grenadiers team member and long-time friend, Chris Froome.

“I didn't really want to be around bike races for a while, but I love this race, and I love Adelaide. It's been my thing for the last 16 years,” he told Cyclingnews. Last year he made the decision to focus on his family instead of his career.

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In 2020, Porte emerged victorious in the last edition of the race, however, the event was not held the following year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “It’s nice to be able to come to a bike race and enjoy it without the pressure to win it. It’s nice to come as a fan of cycling and just enjoy the atmosphere. It's a brilliant race and fortunately has survived the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the support of the government, sponsors and authorities,” said Porte.

Porte had a remarkable career but never secured a victory in a grand tour and he has no remorse about this. “I was lucky to have a great Tour de France with Trek-Segafredo in 2020, and it felt like that ticked a Grand Tour box for me. I had my good and bad moments, my highs and my lows but it was a privilege to ride a bike as a professional for 13 years and to finish on my own terms,” concluded Porte.

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