Richie Porte: I'm not here to win the race for Woods

Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) slipped down the standings at the Herald Sun Tour after stage 4, dropping from second overall to fourth after Team Sky's Dylan van Baarle claimed second on the stage and leader's jersey with one stage remaining.

Porte and overnight leader Michael Woods (EF Education First) were expected to battle it out for the stage and the GC on the final climb of Arthurs Seat on Saturday but Team Sky put three men - including van Baarle - into the day's break. The move stretched EF Education First to breaking point, while Porte's team were unwilling to simply help the American team defend their lead, especially while their Australian leader was suffering with a minor health problem.

"I haven't been healthy coming into this race," Porte told reporters at the conclusion of the stage, which was won by Mitchelton-Scott's Nick Shultz, while van Baarle crossed the line in second place.

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Woods would eventually finish 2:14 down and sixth on the stage, with Porte crossing the line outside of the top ten and thirteen seconds further adrift.

"At the Cadel Evans race, I had a bit of a cold, and it's not an easy way to recover, racing like this," Porte added.

"I was second the other day on a stage, but today there was no hiding. I didn't have the legs. My team rode really well, but it's not up to us to win the race for Woods."

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