 The 2014 champion , Carlos Betancur ( AG2R La Mondiale ) , chose not to defend his title . The early lead in the race was taken by Michał Kwiatkowski ( Etixx – Quick @-@ Step ) in the prologue ; he kept the lead until stage three , when Michael Matthews took over the race lead through time bonuses . Stage four was won by Richie Porte ( Team Sky ) , while Kwiatkowski took back the race lead . On stage six , a chaotic stage in rainy conditions , Tony Gallopin ( Lotto – Soudal ) won and took over the race lead , but he was unable to defend his lead on the final @-@ day time trial . Porte , the 2013 champion , won the general classification as well as two stages . Kwiatkowski finished second overall , with Simon Špilak ( Team Katusha ) on the same time in third place . 
