Richie Porte battling on in Tour de France despite chest infection
Richie Porte aims to finish Tour de France despite illness and time loss
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

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."
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 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
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.
-
-
Inspired by bikepacking events overseas, Rapha introduces the Rapha Yomp Rally
Rapha today announced the launch of the inaugural Rapha Yomp Rally, a five-day 375-mile adventure across some of the most stunning mixed-terrain roads California has to offer.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
From false promises and heartbreak to hope - How Heidi Franz is bouncing back from the last-minute collapse of B&B Hotels
Mind games, false promises and a life left in limbo. How American Heidi Franz navigated the B&B Hotels demise and found a kickstart to her new European life
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Tom Pidcock unsure whether he will defend cyclocross world title in 2023
“I don’t know yet, crossing in the winter and being good in the classics is a difficult combination” Pidcock said
By Tom Thewlis • Published