Due to an extended break from racing, Richie Porte (BMC Racing) has had several weeks to watch his Tour de France rivals in action, but next month the Australian returns to competition at Paris-Nice, where he will go up against Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) for the first time this year. Porte opened his 2017 account in fine fettle in January with two stage wins and the overall title at the Tour Down Under. The win marked his first GC success in the race, but it was the manner of his comprehensive victory that stood out. He won both hilltop finishes and was head-and-shoulders above the opposition. Bar the Cadel Evans races, Porte has spent the last few weeks training in Tasmania and he only returned to Europe last week, with Paris-Nice his next target.ADVERTISEMENT `Tour Down Under was a big goal but I want to win Paris-Nice. It´s a race I´m easily motivated for. There´s no time trial up Col d´Èze but we´ve still got the one to Mont-Brouilly. I wouldn´t say that I´m in my top condition yet but I still think that there´s time,` he told Cyclingnews from his base in Monaco. Porte´s season is focused on the Tour de France, and he will race sparingly in the build up with Paris-Nice followed by Catalunya, Tour of Romandie, Criterium du Dauphine and then the Tour. Considering he took several months off after crashing out in the Olympic Games in August of last year, it is a relatively light schedule when compared to a number of his rivals. That said, Porte and BMC Racing go to each of his 2017 races with the desire to win.
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