Attack proved to be the best form of defence for Richie Porte as he distanced his rivals on Willunga Hill to take his second stage win of the Tour Down Under and first in the leader's ochre jersey.
Following his Paracombe win on Wednesday, the 31-year-old had his poker face on until the final half of the Willunga Hill climb on Saturday afternoon when he launched his familiar and vicious attack to take a commanding lead going into Sunday's 90km street circuit. While the battle is on for the podium with just 11 seconds separating second place through to fifth. Porte's 48-second lead over Esteban Chaves is monumental in comparison.
"It was the hardest one I've had so far. Attack is the best form of defence and I didn't want to go so early. I don't think I have attacked that early on Willunga. I was in a world of pain there in that final part," Porte said of his move to take the victory.
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"You can look at your power meter and all this sort of stuff but I think the best sign for me was when I looked at the other guys and they were more stuffed than I was so it was the perfect moment to go.”
Failing no mechanicals or bad luck, which have plagued Porte in recent seasons, he is on the cusp of securing the second biggest winning margin in the race's history behind Pat Jonker's 2004 triumph.
"Tomorrow is not a procession. I am in a good position but you have to stay out of trouble. I just want to finish it off tomorrow without any issues. I have always wanted to win this race. I remember doing this race in 2008 with UniSA and I have said it before, I would love to have my name on the honour roll," said Porte, who will in all likely hood claim a sixth stage race victory of his career on Sunday afternoon and see his name engraved into the steps of the race's Hilton hotel headquarters.
First victory in the leader’s ochre jersey
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