Porte, Woods clear air after Tour drama

Sunday, 3 February 2019:

RICHIE PORTE of Australia riding for BMC Racing Team rides in the peloton during stage five of the 2017 Le Tour de France.
RICHIE PORTE of Australia riding for BMC Racing Team rides in the peloton during stage five of the 2017 Le Tour de France.


Richie Porte notes if he's making everyone happy, he's probably not doing his job right.

But the Australian cycling star is adamant there is no feud with Canadian rival Michael Woods in the wake of Saturday's stunning Herald Sun Tour stage.

The Tour was turned on its head at Arthurs Seat and the expected fireworks between Porte and Woods on the decisive final climb never happened.

As Nick Schultz won the stage ahead of eventual Tour winner Dylan van Baarle, Porte and Woods finished off the pace after the main group gave up on chasing the lead pair.

It later emerged that Porte had a cold and was unwilling to help Woods win the Tour.

The Australian also had been unimpressed when Woods beat him to win stage two, saying the Canadian sat on his wheel in the last kilometre.

Porte said they spoke during Sunday's last stage and there are no problems.

"To be fair to him, he was probably the stronger rider of the two of us here," Porte said.

"Going forward, it's not a big problem, Woods v Porte.

"He's a good fella - that's racing.

"If you're getting along with everyone, then there's probably something wrong."

Woods likewise said there are no dramas between them.

"Richie is a champion - he's a competitive guy and there's a reason he's won so many bike races," Woods said.

"He wants to win and I want to win. Sometimes you're going to have a standoff between two guys."

Woods finished third overall and Porte was fifth.

Overall it has been a strong start to the season for Porte, who has moved to Trek-Segafredo.

The Tour de France hopeful won the Tour Down Under's famous Queen stage at Willunga for the sixth-straight year.

"Obviously it's a new team and a great way to start in Adelaide," Porte said.

"I've enjoyed the last week - there's not much you can do about (a cold)."






AAP