[ad_1]
Richie Porte (Launceston, 35 years old) had long dreamed of being on the podium at the Tour de France, something that seemed unattainable for Trek Segafredo’s leader.
In the morning, before the time trial on Saturday, he said he wanted to put a photo of himself on the podium in Paris. She already has it. He will be third, but it was difficult for him to miss the birth of his second child.
“I came here with the blessing of my wife. I missed the birth of my second child, so to come out with a podium is incredible. Now I will have that photo on the wall when I leave the Champs Elysees with two great champions,” he said.
Richie Porte is an old Tour de France rocker. He has participated in 10 editions and his best classification was fifth in 2016. “We came back recharged,” thought the Australian when he achieved his dream of podium.
“The Tour de France for me over the years has been a very fun race. I have had some disastrous moments and I almost have them this year. The team has been incredible, it has been three fantastic weeks,” he said.
His love affair with the Tour de France goes back a long way. Richie Porte, a former athlete, was one of the few Australians who would get out of bed to watch the French race, thinking that one day he too could be a hero in Paris.
“I used to stay up watching the Tour de France, following Stuart O’Grady, Brad McGee and Baden Cooke. These riders are my heroes and Cadel Evans, the best of all. It has been so many years of hard work …. I had a little below the radar here. I’m very happy, “he assured.
Porte recalled that when his son Luca was born he won the Tour of Switzerland. “So coming in and third here … It’s probably my last Tour de France as a leader, so for me it’s very special,” he said.
It may interest you:
[ad_2]
