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.

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.