Retiree Richie Porte made it clear heading into Saturday's Australian Gravel National Championships that it was not a race for the title.

But there is a certain "fun" in riding 106 kilometers and 2,300 meters of elevation gain on Tasmania's muddy midwinter roads, and the 2020 Tour de France podium finisher expressed it succinctly after finishing the race in Devil's Cardigan.

When a post-race interviewer suggested at the beginning of his discussion with Porte that Porte had said "it's a new level of cycling" as he crossed the line, the former Ineos Grenadiers racer quickly corrected him.

"No, I said it sucked, it was awful," Porte, covered in mud, said with a big smile and quickly grabbed a beer.

"It was obviously beautiful.

The race, which started in the mountain biking capital of Derby, was broken up by three major climbs: the early Mutual Valley (8.3 km, 4.2%), Ralph Falls (10.7 km, 5%), and the final climb to Hell (3.5 km, 8.1%).

Another final pinch awaited them about 5 km from the finish line. Porte laughed: "We actually got off and walked, it was that filthy."

"It was a lot of fun and the most beautiful terrain I've ever seen." It was hard work, but it was truly amazing. There was good camaraderie along the way, and I think that's what it's all about."

Porte finished in 22nd place. His pre-race plan was to ride the steep road with his friends while the other racers competed for the Australian gravel title.

Connor Sense won the men's race, while Justin Barrow (Roxalt Rib SRAM) took the women's jersey. Barrow, who has been on the podium of the All-Japan Road Championships, will return to the US in a few days to continue her five-month gravel life. As for Porte, when asked if he would line up again, he quickly replied.

"No idea," he replied with a pleasant expression on his face, as if to say he had already signed up.