Mum: he’ll be over the moon

IMMENSE relief and happiness swept over Penny and Ian Porte as they fought off sleep to watch their son power towards his dream of a Tour de France podium finish on Saturday night.

Porte, originally from Launceston, finished third in the mountaintop stage and moved into third place overall after completing the individual time trial stage in 57min 16.88sec. He is set to become only the second Australian to finish on the TDF podium in more than 100 years after Cadel Evans won in 2011 and finished second twice.

Mrs Porte said her son’s physical and mental strength never ceased to amaze.

“We always stay up and watch,” she said. “Sometimes we nod off but between us we manage to alert each other.

“We know he will be over the moon, even though he’s achieved so much. It will give him a lot of personal satisfaction.”

Mr and Mrs Porte, who live in Hadspen, have not seen their Monaco-based son since February.

Mrs Porte said she was “aching” to meet Porte’s second child, Eloise, who was born on September 5 while her dad was racing in what could be his final Tour de France.

“Photos and FaceTime are good but babies are my favourite things,” she said.

“Many people (are) in the same situation so (I) can’t complain too much.”

After the stage, Porte told SBS it was his dream to be on the podium and he could now retire happy.

Mrs Porte said she would support any career move he made.

“We only want what he wants,” she said.

“He’s the one who has to put his life on the line. Having a wife and young family changes everything and I’m glad he feels now there’s no unfinished business.”

This year will be the first that Porte doesn’t make it home to see his parents after the Tour.

Mrs Porte said she might not get the chance to celebrate with Richie until late 2021 unless “there’s a window (of opportunity)”.