Team Sky's all-or-nothing tactics fail to unseat Richie Porte in Tour Down Under
Sergio Henao's bid to overthrow Richie Porte during the Tour Down Under's key climbing stage failed to make an impact

Sergio Henao and Team Sky lost out on an “all or nothing” bid for the overall podium at the Tour Down Under on Saturday.
The Colombian climber seemingly couldn’t keep with former teammate Richie Porte (BMC) on the hilltop finish in Willunga, which the latter claimed to all but secure the leader’s jersey.
Henao entered the WorldTour opener considered a genuine threat to Porte’s publicised campaign. A double puncture damaged his chances on the first hilltop finish on Wednesday, but many thought the 29-year-old could make-up time in the penultimate queen stage.
>>> Richie Porte sets up Tour Down Under overall win with emphatic victory on Willunga Hill
Team Sky – until Porte’s attack some two kilometres from the finish – had been tactically brilliant. The outfit positioned Henao well at the base of the ascent, with the peloton hurting under the pace set by Ian Stannard and then late entry Kenny Elissonde at the beginning of the climb.
Henao and his cousin, Sebastian both made the final selection. The latter got a gap on the group but as he looked back for his team leader instead saw Porte make his move a bit earlier than usual.
“The guys rode perfect, Richie just had better legs than everyone,” Sky sports director Brett Lancaster said. “We gave it everything and didn’t pull it off.”
Henao, who was third overall last year behind Simon Gerrans (Orica-Scott) and Porte, conceded 33 seconds to Porte and now sits 11th overall, one minute and six seconds down with Sunday’s final criterium stage remaining.
“Team Sky made that really hard there at the bottom, which kind of played into my hands a bit,” Porte said post-race.
“But at the end of the day I’ve shown I’m in good form. To win two stages here is just an incredible way to start the year. It’s been a hard week of racing. They were good, they pushed me.”
>>> Tour Down Under 2017: Latest news, reports and info
Onus for a stage win will fall back on Sky’s sprinter Danny van Poppel on Sunday.
“Danny has been close a few times so we’ll see what he can do,” Lancaster said. “It seems Caleb [Ewan] is a bit unstoppable at the moment with his form, but we’ll give it everything.”
Thank you for reading 10 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
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.
-
-
Dr Hutch: WLTM someone to join him on long rides
Doctor Hutch leaves sightseeing for others and dedicates his long rides to the pursuit of solitary suffering. But now he’s looking for ride-mates - A GSOH is a must
By Michael Hutchinson • Published
-
Carolin Schiff makes huge solo effort to take victory at women's Unbound Gravel 200
German off-road pro takes a massive solo victory at gravel's premiere event, Unbound
By Henry Lord • Last updated
-
From drawing to Giro d'Italia in 2 months: How SunGod reinvented Geraint Thomas' iconic sunglasses
The glasses, GTs, have been seen on the Welshman's face throughout his impressive Giro d'Italia run
By Adam Becket • Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart abandons Giro d'Italia after fracturing hip on stage 11
Ineos Grenadiers rider was sitting in third before falling heavily with 69km to go on Wednesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Blow to Ineos's Giro d'Italia as Filippo Ganna forced out with Covid-19
Time-triallist and super-domestique Filippo Ganna has had to leave his home Grand Tour due to a Covid-19 positive
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Complete Giro d'Italia 2023 start list: Who is still in the Grand Tour three days in?
There has not been one abandonment so far in this year's Giro, here's the complete start list
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for Giro d'Italia after sealing Tour of the Alps victory in Italy
British rider says he will savour his second-ever overall win, before turning his attention towards the fast approaching Italian Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Just stay calm and relaxed’: Tao Geoghegan Hart one day from second-ever overall victory
Barring major disaster, the Ineos Grenadiers rider will wrap up overall victory at the Tour of the Alps in Brunico on Friday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘I’m not going there as a favourite’ - Tao Geoghegan Hart plays down Giro d’Italia chances despite success
The British rider is two days away from winning the Tour of the Alps, but said he would be just one of many 'pieces in the puzzle' at the Giro
By Tom Thewlis • Published