Illness forces Richie Porte to withdraw from Tirreno-Adriatico
Damiano Caruso and Rohan Dennis to lead BMC in Porte's absence

Richie Porte (BMC Racing) has withdrawn from Tirreno-Adriatico, which starts in Italy on Wednesday, due to an upper respiratory tract infection which he picked up at the Volta ao Algarve.
According to his team, Porte fell ill after the Portuguese race, which finished on February 18, forcing him to miss a week of training ahead of one of the biggest races of his spring calendar.
"Richie Porte developed an upper respiratory infection after Volta ao Algarve which forced him to miss the best part of a week's training, said Dr Max Testa, BMC Racing's chief medical officer.
>>> Five things to look out for at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico
"Given Tirreno-Adriatico was one of Richie's goal races this season, it did not make sense to line up when his preparation was far from ideal.
"Richie and the BMC Racing Team management and medical team agreed that it was in his best interests to miss Tirreno-Adriatico and adjust his race program, in order to recover properly."
After Tirreno-Adriatico, Porte was not scheduled to race again until the Tour du Finestère in mid-April, however his withdrawal from Tirreno-Adriatico could see him tempted by another week-long stage race, such as the Volta a Catalunya, which starts in eastern Spain on March 25.
Watch: WorldTour bikes 2018
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AntnS1WXA4
With Porte absent, BMC will now turn to Damiano Caruso and Rohan Dennis to challenge for high position in the general classification, with Dennis having finished second behind Nairo Quintana in 2017.
"I'm looking forward to going back to Tirreno-Adriatico next week," Dennis said. "One main goal of the team will be to win the opening team time trial again, and we are motivated to do that. For me, the individual time trial will, of course, be another target and I hope to repeat my success from last year. In between the two, we will see what happens.
>>> Tour de France planning to stp use of podium girls
Even without Porte, the Tirreno-Adriatico start list is still packed full of major GC riders, all looking to use the week-long race to continue their build up towards the season's Grand Tours.
Among those on the start list will be Chris Froome (Team Sky), Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale), and Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida), while the likes of Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) will be using the event as preparation for Milan-San Remo.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Bahrain Victorious riders and staff homes searched before Tour de France start
Continuation of investigation that started at last year's race
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Giro Donne 2022: Everything you need to know about the 33rd edition
The race, formerly known as the Giro Rosa, will take place across ten stages in Italy
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Richie Porte forced to abandon Giro d'Italia with illness
Ineos Grenadiers lose key domestique on stage 19
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Phil Bauhaus wins chaotic sprint at Tirreno-Adriatico as Tadej Pogačar secures overall victory
The Bahrain-Victorious sprinter pipped Israel-Premier Tech's Giacomo Nizzolo on the line for his first victory of the season.
By Pete Trifunovic • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar stamps authority on Tirreno-Adriatico with stage six victory
The Slovenian increases his overall lead with one stage remaining
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel scupper chances of winning Tirreno-Adriatico stage five after missing turn
Jonas Vingegaard was also a part of the trio of riders catching the breakaway group before completely missing a turn 6km from the line
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Filippo Ganna wins stage one as Remco Evenepoel takes seven seconds on Tadej Pogačar at Tirreno-Adriatico
The world time trial champion wins the race against the clock on home soil
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Tirreno-Adriatico 2022 route: Stages for the 57th edition of the 'Race of the Two Seas'
The hilly race between the two seas has released its 2022 route with varied terrain to be tackled
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Richie Porte won't ride Tour de France because he 'didn't enjoy pressure' of 2021 edition
The Australian will instead ride the Giro d'Italia as he seeks enjoyment in his final year of racing
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
'It’s been a nice run, but it’s time': Richie Porte says 2021 edition was his final Tour de France
The Australian leads his national team into the Olympic Games road race on Saturday
By Richard Windsor • Published