Porte predicts Tour fireworks in hills
  Story By Roger Vaughan     

Friday, 19 January 2018: Richie Porte aims to become the first Tour Down Under cycling champion to defend his title and he is expecting fireworks on Friday's stage.

Richie Porte predicts fireworks at the Tour Down Under as the temperature soars into the 40s for a second day.

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Friday's fourth stage from Norwood to Uraidla in the Adelaide Hills gives the overall contenders a chance to assess their chances.

The 128.2km stage is the day before the crucial Queen stage at Willunga, where the race winner will be confirmed.

Porte, who is well-positioned at 20 seconds behind race leader Caleb Ewan, wants to be the first champion to successfully defend his title in the Tour's 20-year history.

The stage started an hour early because of the blast furnace conditions and a mass-participation ride scheduled for earlier in the morning was cancelled.

The Uraidla finish is new to the Tour and it comes after the Norton Summit climb, an Adelaide cycling landmark.

"Obviously it's a tricky one ... I think it's going to be fireworks on Norton Summit, especially in this heat," Porte said.

"It's not the hardest climb, (but) the wind might be a factor also.

"Everybody is suffering, we're all in the same boat.

"There's nowhere to hide when it's so hot."

Fellow Australian Nathan Haas is one of Porte's key rivals for overall honours.

Haas said if riders want to attack, they will have to be careful when they make their move.

"It will be a brief visit to our friend Mr Pain today," he said.

"You will only get one bullet today with the heat, so you have to time it just right."