Talking with Mike Tomalaris and Christophe Mallet on the Zwift Cycling Central Podcast, Porte, who is back in Australia ahead of January’s Santos Festival of Cycling, reflected on his third place finish at the Tour de France and looked ahead to his impending move to Team INEOS next season.
While 2020 for many has been a year to forget, for Porte it will be one he will look back on fondly.
Starting the year with victory at the Tour Down Under, Porte didn’t let the COVID pandemic get in the way as he ended years of Tour de France frustrations with an incredible ride for Trek Segafredo to snatch third place on the podium in September.
“There is not a day that has gone by where I haven’t thought about reaching that podium in Paris. That was one of the biggest goals in my career and to have finally done it is a huge satisfaction,” he said.
“I never really had a chance to celebrate with my wife giving birth to our daughter and with COVID restrictions still in place in Europe.
"I think the time to celebrate that has passed but I’m just looking forward to getting back to Tasmania, spending time with my family and doing my favourite training ride around Scottsdale.”
After two seasons as a lead rider with US based Trek Segafredo, Porte announced in September he was returning to Team INEOS (formerly Team SKY) in 2021 as a super-domestique.
Porte rode for Team SKY for three seasons from 2012 to 2015 and said going back to the British based outfit held extra significance.
“I’m going home to team INEOS next season to finish my career out which is something else I wanted to do so my focus is there,” Porte said.
“Team SKY was probably the most enjoyable team I have ridden for and in that time I met some incredible people including my wife, so it is a happy place for me and I’m really looking forward to going back there.”
While Porte will be forced to take a back seat behind superstars such as Egan Bernal at INEOS, the 35-year-old said it is something he is more than happy to do at this stage of his career.
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“I showed this year at the tour that I may be towards the back end of my career but I still have what it takes to compete at the top level,” he said.
“Maybe in the smaller races I may get a chance but to be honest, now with two kids and getting older I’m looking forward to having less pressure on me next season.
“There is no reason why I can’t ride for victories in races like Tour de Romandie and events like that, but I also know my role and hopefully that means going to the Tour and supporting some of the brilliant young talent at Team INEOS.”
