Richie Porte of Team Sky has become the first Australian to win Paris-Nice following a stunning climb of the Col d’Eze at the end of the final stage, 9.6km Individual Time Trial. The 28-year-old Tasmanian rider went into today’s stage in yellow as a firm favourite, not least because as a resident of nearby Monaco he knows the terrain intimately and had even told reporters earlier that he tackles the intimidatingly steep Col d’Eze, ‘…every other day.’ Regardless of any ‘home turf’ advantage, Porte’s performance over the last week of riding at the Paris-Nice has been exceptional (and exceptionally well supported by the wider team); as a domestique who served as one of Wiggin’s most reliable lieutenants through 2012 he never waivered and now, seemingly unshackled, looks certainly to be one to follow.
Today’s ITT stage time for Porte was set at 19minutes 1second, just four seconds slower than the fastest time ever up the climb, which was set by Wiggins in 2012. Garmin Sharp’s Andrew Talansky landed 23seconds adrift for second place on the ITT Stage – and second overall to boot (+55seconds), whilst Movistar’s Nairo Quintana took third on the stage and Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) was third overall. Speaking afterwards, Porte said, ‘I can’t believe it. The first Aussie to win such a big race and it’s just an honour to have my name up there with Bradley Wiggins, Tony Martin and all the big champions.’
