For the first time in the history of the team, Orica-GreenEDGE was unable to win the Australian time trial title. Former winner Luke Durbridge could only manage fourth while defending champion Michael Hepburn had to settle for seventh on a course that suited the climbers better than the big specialists.

2012 and 2013 national champion Luke Durbridge has finished fourth at the Australian time trial championships on a tough Buninyong course this afternoon.

A top-class field, arguably the best any country could produce, lined up in miserable conditions with Richie Porte taking the honours and coveted jersey in an impressive ride.

Durbridge (53:02) finished one minute 11secs behind Porte with ORICA-GreenEDGE’s other representatives Damien Howson (53:14) and Michael Hepburn(53:56) finishing fifth and seventh respectively.

Sport director Matt White said the trio gave everything they had on what was a tough course.

“It was a big effort from our boys today,” White said. “They left everything out on the road but hats off to Richie, it was a world class ride by certainly a world class time triallist.”

“It’s a very challenging circuit. I don’t know the exact metres of climbing but it’s a very demanding time trial.

“You saw by the intermediate splits, Richie Porte was fourth at the turn.  There was a lot of climbing coming back and it’s just science, he is lighter. Our guys are giving away a lot of size and weight and he is just too strong on a course like that.”

Attention now moves to Sunday and ORICA-GreenEDGE’s defence of the national road race jersey.

“Our focus is now all about Sunday and trying to retain that champions jersey which we have had for the last three years,” White finished.