The 2016 BMC Teammachine SLR01 of Australian Richie PorteDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Richie Porte on his way to winning stage 5 of the Tour Down Under on Willunga Hill. The bike featured here is the very sameTim de Waele
A Fizik K1 triathlon saddle offers more padding at the nose compared with the more common road versionDavid Rome / Immediate Media
This seat and top tube junction is classic BMC design language. The brand commonly states that a BMC is one of the few bikes you could pick out in a totally pitch dark roomDavid Rome / Immediate Media
BMC use bottle cages from Elite. These are actually the rather basic ‘Custom Race’ resin cageDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Compared with many others in the peloton, the BMC Teammachine’s fork legs are relatively minimalDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Porte uses an 11-28t cassette. This wider-range option has become extremely popular with many pro ridersDavid Rome / Immediate Media
An SRM Shimano 11-speed crank is used to record Porte’s power and cadence. Not pictured are the weights hidden within this crank, which bring the bike up to its UCI-legal 6.8kg weightDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Richie Porte, a name we’re just getting used to seeing on a BMCDavid Rome / Immediate Media
The cover at the top of the down tube hides BMC’s ‘Dual Transmission Integration’ (DTi) system. Simply, it’s a classy way to allow either electronic or mechanical drivetrains on the one frameDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Porte spent the last four seasons riding with cockpit components from PRO, but he’s now on 3TDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Just a glamour shotDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Ultra shallow Shimano C24 wheels are Porte’s choice for the climbing stages based on the ultra low rotating weightDavid Rome / Immediate Media
A small frame means tighter cable bends, but BMC has designed it to still function perfectly with standard brake housingDavid Rome / Immediate Media
BMC mechanics make use of the SLR01’s square-backed seatpost with the addition of a custom number plate holder. Industrial double-sided tape and a cable tie ensure it stays in placeDavid Rome / Immediate Media
Porte uses a 40cm width handlebar for a minimal frontal profileDavid Rome / Immediate Media
For 2016, Richie Porte has changed to the red and black livery of BMC. With a new team, Porte has his sights set high this year, with the likes of the Tour de France and the Olympic road race both potential targets for the Tasmanian – who can both climb and time trial with the best of them.
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The well-rounded Australian had spent the past four seasons as a key member of Team Sky, including winning Paris-Nice twice, Porte was an integral part in both Bradley Wiggins’ and Chris Froome’s Tour de France yellow jersey wins.
Richie porte on his way to winning stage 5 of the tour down under on willunga hill. the bike featured here is the very same:
Here’s the bike Porte rode to a solo victory in stage 5 at the Tour Down Under
Our sister site Cyclingnews recently had a sneak peek at Porte’s new BMC Teammachine ride, but here it is in detail – as recently ridden to a stage win and second place overall at the 2016 Santos Tour Down Under.
The spec remains the same (mostly)
Typically when riders swap teams, there are enormous adaptions in equipment to be made. Most notoriously, different saddles and pedals can wreak havoc on riders who have become accustomed to previous product. However, for Porte no such major changes have occurred. Despite swapping teams, his drivetrain, braking, wheels, pedals, shoes (Sidi) and even saddle choice have all remained constant.
Obviously different is the frameset, and there’s certainly no confusing the drastically different aesthetics of Porte’s BMC and his Pinarellos of past. Joining the rest of the team at the Tour Down Under, Porte was riding the brand’s highly acclaimed (by us) Teammachine SLR01.
