Porte shows he is back with Tour stage win
  Story By Roger Vaughan     

Saturday, 20 January 2018: Richie Porte has won his fifth-straight Willunga stage at the Tour Down Under and feels like he can have the best season of his cycling career.

Even though he lost the battle, Richie Porte has proved he can still win the war.

The Australian cycling star took out the Tour Down Under's Queen stage at Willunga for the fifth year in a row.

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He fell just short of making Tour history, by becoming the first champion in its 20-year history to defend his title.

South African Daryl Impey (Mitchelon-Scott) stunned the race by finishing second at Willunga and tying with Porte for the overall lead.

Impey took the lead on a stage results countback and most likely will win the Tour for the first time.

But by triumphing at Willunga yet again, Porte has shown he is back on track to be a Tour de France contender.

It is six months since the horrific Tour de France crash that left Porte with a fractured pelvis and shattered morale.

This was his first stage race since the crash, plus his wife Gemma is expecting their first child in May.

"I have a fantastic bunch of people around me, from my team to my wife and my family," Porte said.

"It has been a tough time and it was a nasty crash.

"It knocked me around, but I think maybe I can have the best season of my career and I'm motivated for that."

Once again, Porte launched his attack within 2km of the Willunga summit finish.

Compatriot and fellow contender Jay McCarthy initially went with him, but after 500m Porte was on his own.

This may or may not have been his best Willunga win, given last year's ensured his title, but it was certainly the hardest.

"I felt great, the guys (BMC teammates) looked after me all day, but it hurt so much," he said.






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