Nat Bromhead
Richie Porte has decisively earned a significant win, taking out the 2017 Tour de Romandie that finished with a time trial overnight.
The penultimate rider out of the chute, Porte made his intentions clear and put in a sensational performace to gain the 19 seconds required for overall victory.
Second In The TT, First Overall
As he headed onto the final kilometers of the course, Porte’s determination was visible with the Australian gritting his teeth while chasing the 19 seconds that stood between him and the top step of the podium.
Porte completed the 17.8km TT in 25’06” which gave him second on the stage. Crucially, it also delivered the final yellow jersey of the week with Porte 21 seconds ahead of Orica-Scott’s Simon Yates in second and Primoz Roglic of LottoNL-Jumbo.
100% Confidence For TDF
“It’s a bit of a shock to win,” said Richie after the win that cements his position as a Tour de France favourite come July.
“I knew I was in good condition for this race so to finish off the hard work that BMC Racing Team have put in for me is incredible. I also think I should make mention to two of our colleagues who we recently lost; Chad Young and Michele Scarponi. It’s been a tough week for all of us and it sort of makes cycling, or racing, feel a little irrelevant after what’s happened.”
Porte / Yates 1,2 … Will History Repeat?
Edged out by Orica-Scott climbing sensation Simon Yates on the previous day’s stage, Richie said he had dearly wanted that win.
“I really wanted to get the stage win yesterday, and I think the team did an incredible job,” he said.
“I must take my hat off to Danilo Wyss who just exploded the race there. It just feels great to win this race. We are an American team firmly rooted in Switzerland so, I think we put on a good show at what could be described as a home race.”
Asked about if the Tour of Romandie win had bolsted his confidence for the Tour de France, Richie replied “100%”.
“The team has backed me to the hill this year,” he said. “They have built a team around me, they have put no pressure on me, and it is just going so well right now. I am really happy with where I am at the moment.”
