PORTE ON COURSE TO REACH PODIUM

Tasmanian Richie Porte missed the birth of his daughter for one last crack at the Tour de France — now he’s on track for a podium finish.

RICHIE Porte missed the birth of his daughter for one last crack at the Tour de France and, at 35, stands on the brink of becoming only the second Australian to finish on the podium.

The Tasmanian was fourth going in to Friday night’s sprinter-friendly stage before the individual time trial on Saturday and procession into Paris on Sunday.

Porte needs to make up 1min 39sec over 36.2km in the time trial to catch third-placed Miguel Lopez and stand on the podium alongside Primoz Roglic, who has all but secured his first yellow jersey.

The Trek-Segafredo leader survived a major scare on Stage 18 when he punctured with 30km to go and had to pace himself back to the peloton, bridging a 45-second gap on gravel roads.

“It wasn’t ideal and I was feeling really good on the [climb] which was a hard climb,” he said.

“To survive that and maintain my GC . . . I’m happy to have come away with that one. Now we just have to get through tomorrow.”

Cadel Evans is the only Australian to finish on the podium at the Tour de France when he was runner-up in 2007 and ‘08 before winning it at the age of 34 in ’11.

Porte’s best finish was fifth in ’16 when he was riding for Evans’s old team BMC.

After years of misfortune including crashes, punctures and even running into the back of a motorbike, he has appeared to be riding with a weight off his shoulders.

He has said this season will be his last with Trek-Segafredo and his last at targeting the Tour’s general classification.

The Tour Down Under’s defending champion is almost certain to miss January’s race after revealing he plans to stay in Europe this off-season. reece.homfray@news.com.au