The King of Willunga Hill will give his stomping ground one last crack on Saturday as he confirms it will be his last climb up as a professional rider.
Richie Porte first rode in the Santos Tour Down Under in 2008 and had his first win up the notorious climb in 2014.
He won it consecutively for six years in front of thousands of fans who would come cheer him on as he made the legendary climb look easy.
In 2021 at the Santos Festival of Cycling he took his seventh victory up Willunga Hill, doing what he does best and attacking at the 1.5km to go mark.
Ahead of the men’s three stage road race at the Santos Festival of Cycling, Richie confirmed that Saturday’s Stage 3 from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill will be his last.
"This is where it all started for me, with a wildcard selection in 2008." Porte reflected.
"Willunga has been a bit of a stomping ground for me; it's a race I'll genuinely miss.
"It'd be nice to have a bit of a gallop up there, but let's see what happens.
"It'd also be nice to slip out the back and enjoy it ... that'd be a nice feeling as well.
"It's a shame it's not a World Tour event, but it's a great opportunity for the young Aussie kids to show what they're made of and test themselves ... there's some class bike riders here."
Fellow WorldTour rider Luke Durbridge said, "If it's going to be Richie's last time up Willunga we better hold on to our hats."
