Richie Porte battling on in Tour de France despite chest infection
Richie Porte aims to finish Tour de France despite illness and time loss
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hRnH5T8FBUn4EKuPVKxX88-415-80.jpg)
Richie Porte on stage fifteen of the 2014 Tour de France
Sky's Richie Porte will continue in the Tour de France despite losing time in the mountain stages on Friday and Saturday, and a chest infection.
"It's the Tour de France, the goal is to get to Paris. Even yesterday, when I wasn't great, I still made it in before the gruppetto, so it's realistic to try and finish the race," Porte said.
"The goals have changed now and it as good to see 'G' [Geraint Thomas] and 'Frosty' [Nieve] out there flying the Sky flag. In the last three mountain stages, those guys can do the same job."
Porte, 29 from Australia, fell from second to 16th overall at 11-11 minutes in the Chamrousse stage on Friday. On Saturday, he lost an additional 4-52 minutes to race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).
Overnight, he explained that he had to take antibiotics for a chest infection. The sickness may have cost him, but he added that he was not trying to find excuses.
"The last week hasn't been great but in the last few days. I've started a second course of antibiotics. It's not really ideal but the race goes on. I'm trying to get through the best I can and into the rest day," Porte said.
"It's not ideal but I'm not trying to make to make excuses but my health hasn't been great. At the end of the day, not all is lost. The Pyrenees stages are an opportunity and I hope to get through there and have another go."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Porte took over Sky's leadership in the race after Chris Froome crashed and abandoned in the fifth stage to Arenberg.
The simple message that turned Richie Porte's season around
Richie Porte tumbles from Tour de France top 10
'Bad day' costs Richie Porte his place in the top 10 overall as Sky refocuses on stage wins
Thank you for reading 20 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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
MADE, world’s largest handmade bike show, returns to Portland this August; tickets on sale now
MADE, the world’s largest celebration of the art and craftsmanship of bicycle building, will return for its second edition in Portland, Oregon, this August.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
We tried the Santini Unisex jersey and it made me challenge my preconceived prejudices
As a concept, unisex clothing sounds like a compromise that inhibits personal choice. Santini's take, with its clever design, high-tech fabrics and appealing hues, is anything but
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
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
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published