I didn’t have a clue at the time but this would be the last time I would sign on before a stage as a professional cyclist. End of a 13 year chapter of my life & some of the most incredible memories. 1/3
Richie Porte wraps up successful career as pro rider - "End of a 13 year chapter of my life & some of the most incredible memories"
CyclingTuesday, 13 September 2022 at 16:30
Unknown to him at the time, the start of the fifth stage of the Tour of Britain was the last time Richie Port would be in a sign-in at the start of a racing day. The Australian climber had the British race as the final of his career, but has ended up having an unexpectedly early finish as the race was cancelled.
"I didn’t have a clue at the time but this would be the last time I would sign on before a stage as a professional cyclist. End of a 13 year chapter of my life & some of the most incredible memories," Porte wrote on his Twitter account. "I could never have imagined as a young kid growing up in Tasmania I’d be lucky enough to travel the world riding a bike, ride with some of the best teams in the cycling world and meet so many brilliant people along the way."
There have been and will be more celebrations of Porte's career, a rider who has became one of Australia's most successful over the past decade. He decided to put a stop to his professional career this year, the 15th he's raced as a pro. He has completed it whilst racing for INEOS Grenadiers, the team in which he's marked the peloton the most.
Known as the king of Willunga Hill, Porte has won on the famous climb at the Tour Down Under a total of six times. He won the Australian race twice, aswell as Paris-Nice. His vast palmarès also includes GC wins at the Volta a Catalunya, Tour de Suisse, Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de Romandie, alongside many other strong results. Besides, he's played a key role in the golden Team Sky years, and was a part of several Tour de France wins by Chris Froome, besides many other wins and results he obtained himself.
Porte, now 37 years of age, has taken his final win at last year's Critérium du Dauphiné. He's finished his career riding in support of his leaders at INEOS Grenadiers, a role which he has fulfilled in a way few could've replicated. A lot of praise is certain to come his way in the upcoming World Championships and at the start of the 2023 season as the Australian races will be back on the road, but for now he gets to enjoy a new step in his life.
"Appreciate all the retirement messages and the roadside support Tour of Britain I’m very much ready to enjoy the next chapter but what a brilliant ride it was. As Forrest Gump said ‘I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now'," he concluded.
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