Tour Down Under champion Richie Porte has a message for incoming race director Stuart O'Grady.
Amid speculation O'Grady might put his own stamp on the event next year after taking over from long-time director Mike Turtur, Porte wants him to leave it as is.
"I don't think they need to change anything," Porte said on Sunday after snaring his second crown.
"I think other races should maybe change to be more like this.
"Why not? I mean, we're in the one hotel all week, the crowds are huge ... maybe they should take the time bonuses away because it's not been great (for me).
"But I don't think they need to change anything.
"It's a well-organised race and it's always a pleasure to race down in Adelaide."
Powerful climber Porte benefited from a tweak this year when a second hill-top finish was added to his existing pet stage at Willunga Hill.
The 34-year-old won stage three on Thursday at Paracombe to take temporary ownership of the ochre jersey, which he reclaimed from defending champion Daryl Impey on Sunday's brutal climb up Willunga.
"That last 800m bloody hurt, you know. It was probably the most painful 800m of my life," Porte said.
"You've got someone like Simon Yates sat on your wheel and it's not a given that you're going to drop him.
"I think the crowds there were just awesome and it is electrifying to get to the top.
"You don't get to take it in too much because you're in a different world of hurt, but the crowds there are (as good as) anything really.
"It's like a Tour de France stage, to be honest."
Porte's second overall win - his first since 2017 - further enhanced his standing in Australia's biggest stage race.
The Trek-Segafredo star had been the undisputed 'King of Willunga' for six years, has finished in the top two of the general classification every year since 2015 and is the fifth man to have won overall honours multiple times.
"Personally, I don't think it's really going to sink in until I retire, what I've done," Porte said.
"One of my good mates sent me a message saying 'Do it for Luca', who's my little boy. That's just the extra motivation that you need.
"Going forward, I don't know what my legacy is, but maybe I can come back to this race and enjoy it for what it is in a few years."
Australian Associated Press
