Richie Porte on losing his brother Tom
In October 2025, Richie Porte’s youngest brother, Tom, died by suicide. He was 37. A builder in Launceston, a husband and a father of three, and in Richie’s words, his best mate. After retiring from professional cycling, Richie spent two and a half years working alongside Tom on building sites with the two going into business together. A year on, Richie sits down with Wade Wallace to talk about who Tom was, the last day they spent together building a fence, the phone call the next morning, and what the year since has been like. He talks about the questions he can’t answer, the friends who showed up, getting help himself, and why the hammer that now hangs on his lounge-room wall means more to him than his Tour de France podium photo. This conversation exists in the hope that it might help someone else. Content warning: This episode discusses suicide and grief. If you need support: Australia — Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7), text 0477 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 US and Canada — call or text 988 UK and Ireland — Samaritans 116 123 In an emergency, call your local emergency number. Read the accompanying feature, The hammer on the wall on our homepage.
