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Tour de France: With Richie Porte gone, the race will change

Rupert Guinness

BERGERAC: No one will be feeling the pain of Richie Porte's exit from the Tour de France more than the Tasmanian himself.

But the Australian's latest misfortune, a horrific crash on the last descent of stage nine, will be felt throughout the peloton. 

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Richie Porte crashes out of Tour de France

Aussie star in hospital after a frightening high-speed fall on the descent from Mont du Chat.

Porte was a serious challenger to British race leader and defending champion Chris Froome (Sky), which begs the question: how will the complexion of the race change without him?  

But with a view to the overall race, a Tour without Porte reduces the number of riders within a minute of Froome on the overall classification to three – Italian Fabio Aru (Astana) who is second at 18s, Frenchman Romain Bardet (Ag2r) third at 51s and Colombian Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) fourth at 55s.

Had Porte not crashed on the stage he started in fifth overall, at 39s to Froome, he would most likely have finished in the same group on Sunday and still be within a minute of  the lead.

So too would have Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors), who went down when Porte was catapulted across the road and into the path of the Irishman. Martin, who started the stage in fourth place overall at 25s to Froome, resumed racing but finished 1m 15s down, sending him down the overall classification to sixth place at 1m 44s.

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Froome is in an extremely strong position to win. But had there been five riders within one minute rather than three, the pressure on him to cover their attacks as they fight for the podium – if not the win - would have been far greater.

And Porte was looking good, judging by how he raced up the Mont du Chat where he made two attacks and showed he could match Froome when he did so.

Alas, Porte and all following the Tour will never know, and the 3,450km race that ends on Sunday week will continue with Froome in position to win his fourth Tour in five years.

Which leads to the question of whether Porte can ever win the Tour? He has his doubters, many citing his string of misfortunes in past Tours and the Giro d'Italia that have included tactical errors, health issues, and mechanical troubles.

This year's Tour was the seventh of Porte's career, but it was his first start as an outright team leader. Last year, when he placed fifth in a problem filled race, he was co-leader on the BMC team; and in previous years he rode at the service of his leaders - from Spaniard Alberto Contador in 2011 when he rode for Saxo Bank and placed 72nd, to his four years at Sky.

Winning a Tour is about more than racing well for three weeks. It also takes self-belief, perseverance and a willing to learn from experience – both the good and the bad. The 2011 win by Cadel Evans, the first by an Australian, also came after six attempts. But unlike Porte, Evans was also the team leader every year.

Porte is 32-years-old, and some may say that time is running out for him. But as a former swimmer and triathlete who came to cycling relatively late compared to his peers, he is also relatively young on experience.

Providing he heals well from his current injuries he can be right in the mix next year.