Richie Porte, ladies and gentleman, could be the first Australian to win a cycling grand tour after being the second Australian to wear the Maglia Rosa (pink leaders jersey) in this year’s Giro d’Italia.
Porte emerged after the 262km rain sodden stage to L’Aquila, not only as the race overall leader, but a great chance to hold the jersey through to the final stage in Verona.
Porte gained 12 minutes ahead of main contenders Alexandre Vinokourov and Cadel Evans, whilst also providing a nice buffer between himself and second place David Arroyo.
The most satisfying thing about this story is the journey Porte has endured to get where he is. To many peoples astonishment, Richie is a neo-pro, and this is his first crack at a three-week stage race. Unlike many who have come through the AIS junior program, Richie has done it all on his own. He got his start in Europe and helps bring clarity to the term ‘the cream rises to the top’.
The start of this year’s Giro was positive for the large Australian contingent, Cadel Evans held the Maglia Rosa for a day whilst Matthew Lloyd and Matthew Goss have also taken stages.
Unfortunately, crashes and a lack of animation from rivals has seen Evans slip down the general classification to 13th and over 11 minutes adrift of Porte. Hopefully the upcoming mountains will give Cadel ample opportunity to eat into the deficit.
The bigger question is, can Porte hang on?
The final week of this year’s Giro is tough, much tougher than years past. Richie will be exposed on the epic alpine passes which litter the road ahead.
However, more opportunities to gain time are available, which he must take advantage of.
This isn’t Richie’s first big achievement for 2010 – he won the opening time trial of the Tour of Romandie and has been wearing the white jersey as best young rider. His noted ability as a time trialist will come in handy with two stages against the clock still to come.
This year’s edition of the Giro has already thrown everything at the riders, and up until this point Porte has taken it all in his stride. So far there is no indication he will be troubled as he managed to overcome the difficult climb to Monte Terminillo on stage 8 with minimal losses.
Unlike Evans, Porte rides on a team with the horsepower capable of getting him to Verona in pink.
Evans’ helpers have been criticized over the past couple of years for their lack of help, and rightfully so, unfortunately his current BMC outfit has been troubled by doping allegations and haven’t lived up to expectations. Fortunately for Porte he rides on the strong Danish squad Saxo Bank and has notable climbers such as Chris Sörensen at his disposal.
The bizarre happenings of stage 11 has left cycling pundits bemused, Garmin Transitions team manager Jonathon Vaughters commented on his Twitter page saying, “Today’s stage at the Giro just goes to show you: cycling is not predictable!”
The current situation at the giro is similar to the circumstances which saw Floyd Landis spectacularly lose the Tour de France to Oscar Pereiro back in 2006. The main group of contenders sat up, looked at each other, while a large group of ambitious riders rolled off the front never to be seen again.
Ever since Cadel Evans finished second in the Tour de France in 2007, many people have waited patiently for him seal the deal in a grand tour; however, luck has not been on his side.
Will Richie Porte steal his thunder?
Porte is not the first Australian to wear the Maglia Rosa. There have been many, however, most notable being Cadel Evans.
Evans claimed his first pink jersey on an epic stage back in 2003 which commanded the cycling worlds attention, only to capitulate the following day. Just like Jonathan Vaughters said, cycling is not predictable.
Lets hope Richie’s left enough in the tank, because he’s certainly got a big engine to fuel.
Jameswm
Guest
And Rogers just won the Tour of California. There are two small time trials to go in the Giro - why not one 50km one?
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
Evan's looking dangerous. Patience is key, still a long way to go.
Jameswm
Guest
Now 2 Aussies in the top 5 of a grand tour - how good is that?
Hobart
Guest
In his book Floyd Landis says - "During that Tour de France I personally witnessed George Hincapie, Lance Armstrong, Chechu Rubiera, and myself receiving blood transfusions." Was Floyd having an out-of-body experience?
Glad Fop
Guest
A few months back Landis went on Larry King Live, a show watched by zillions, and swore on a stack of Presbyterian ministers that he did the 2006 Tour clean and sober. Now he says he was all juiced up as were other members of the now-defunct US Postal Team. He implicated Levi Leipheimer, Dave Zabriskie and George Hincapie and, of course, LA. He claims that LA provided him with erythropoietin. He also points a finger at Johan Bruyneel, current head of LA's RadioShack squad. Landis has been tested off and on during his career but apparently never tested positive. So how good are the tests, and how trustworthy are the people who run them?
Andy
Guest
Great article Paddy. NIcely expressed; it's a good read!
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
It would be a fairy tale for Porte to win. I wouldn't write him, especially when blokes like Baden Cooke are saying things like "is this boy from tassie going to win the Giro". He has a bunch of time, but like i said previously, he looked stuffed when he crossed the line today. Lance, well... I'm not sure. The evidence is rather detailed, it would be hard to manufacture. Franky Andreu made similar claims, it almost cost him everything. The thing about Frankie is he had the credibility to make such claims, Floyd doesn't. http://53x11.com/blog/2010/05/20/Floyd-Landis-Letter-of-Confession.186
James
Guest
Thing about Lance is it's coming from so many sources now. I'm starting to have doubts about him.
Jameswm
Guest
I can't see Porte holding on through the mountains, but good on him for being up there and showing there are other Aussie cyclists than Cadel Evans. As for Armstrong - meh, who knows? It's hard to believe Landis would fabricate all of that.
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
Pardon me, Sastre 7 minutes down. Still within striking distance as far as I'm concerned.
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
Yes SR, a great Giro, shame about the messy Dutch start. That was always going to throw a spanner in the works. Rogers is my underdog for TDF. The remaining stages of TOC will either confirm or deny his form. His biggest asset is the strength of his team, provided they don't focus too much ion Cav.
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
He'll ride for Astana. The cobbles will be his biggest test at the TDF.
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
Agreed, Australian Cycling has had their most successful year since Mcewen won his last green jersey in 06. The performances at the world track championships and those on the road are equally impressive. Especially when the majority of results are coming from the younger brigade (Bobridge, Myer etc). Richie will be fighting to hang on, it looked like he struggled today after a nasty crash, but still finished in the main bunch. There's no doubt he will lose time in the mountains, just how much is the question. Provided he can keep turning the screws in the TT i think he's in with a shot. I can't see Arroyo gaining enough in the mountains especially with his mediocre time trailing ability,Wiggins remains a threat as does Gerdemann. As for the favourites such as Vino and Cadel, I can't see them figuring much further up on the overall due to their current position. Unfortunate for Cadel, he's on form, and deserves a GT win more than anyone.
Stormin Red
Roar Rookie
This year's Giro has been fantastic, I hope Porte can hold on but I would have been a lot more confident if Cadel was in the maglia rosa. Good to see another Aussie performing on the big stage though and with numerous stage wins by Aussies and Rogers leading California, this has been a great month for Aussie cycling.
Hutchoman
Guest
A nice article here. Congratulations on a well thought out piece on a under-covered sport. I'm not sure why cycling doesn't get a bigger run on this site. Cycling has the potential to attract mainstream interest in Australia with the vastly improved coverage of SBS in recent years (although I would still like to see greater coverage outside le Tour and Paris-Roubaix), the performances of Evans, O'Grady, McEwen (amongst others) and the real step up the Tour Down Under has taken. I just hope it doesn't end up in the same bucket basketball has found itself in, namely failure to capitalise on a ground swell of public interest (the early '90's) followed by a long and terminal decline back to obscurity. As you say the events in the Giro of a couple of days ago are certainly reminiscent of le Tour 2006. While Richie has the undeniable professionalism and talent of Saxo around him, personally I don't think it's enough ... at least at this stage! Let's not forget it's not the A-team Saxo will roll out for le Tour in July as evidenced by the current GC standings of other riders in the team. While the gaps are large back to the big names, I think they will have all eaten into the current lead sizeably by the time we get to the final ITT. I just don't know that Richie will have the legs over the big mountain passes to come and to the extent he does hang on, what cost will it come at? The one out the front at the moment to watch is Arroyo. Much more of pedigree in the mountains and while not one of the pre-race favourites, looks a little more like Perreiro in 2006. I get the feeling he's more likely to hold enough time through the mountains to possibly hang on in Verona than Richie. That said, I think it's still side open and the big guns of Evans, Wiggins, Sastre, Nibali and two others making their way back from suspensions will still figure strongly in the final GC standings.
Daz
Guest
From discussions I've had with non-cyclists or followers of the sport, they All appear to be on some chemicals. I don't think this sport will ever catch on, at least for spectators and admirers, until there is some more exposure for the 'middle ground' eg, events and athletes. Until then the elite will all be dopers and the amateurs and just taking up all the seats at our local coffee shop wearing their lycra and bragging about a snails pace 40km peddle.
Glad Fop
Guest
KILLM - good summation of the favorites. What's happening with Contador? I'm a little behind but the best I can dig up for the start are the following: Team Milram Quick Step Omega Pharma–Lotto Team Saxo Bank Caisse d’Epargne Euskaltel–Euskadi Footon–Servetto Team HTC-Columbia AG2R La Mondiale BBox Bouygues Telecom Cofidis, le Crédit en ligne Française des Jeux Lampre-Farnese Liquigas-Doimo Astana Rabobank Plus six invitees - Garmin-Transitions Team RadioShack BMC Racing Team Team Sky Katusha Team Cervélo Test Team
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
Agreed, I have been in two minds about Lance for a long time, however, innocent until proven guilty, besides he's riding pretty damn fast since coming back and seems to be getting tested every time he goes to the toilet . Floyd's credibility is mud, what more can be said. The fallout is only going to get worse, looks like a few interesting days on the horizon. I can't go past Contador for this year's tour, however, Michael Rogers is in great shape and seems to be timing his form to perfection, lets hope they don't send too many lead out men for Cav and save a couple of mountain goats for Mick. The Schleck's will figure of course, they can't be discounted with the strength of the Saxo squad.... Surely Bob is commentating the tour? Please tell me this won't be the case. P.s. Cancellara could surprise a few, he's made no indication of his GT aspirations, however, with an engine that big there's no telling what he's capable of
Glad Fop
Guest
Killmurray - I'm in two minds about Lance - on one hand I admire him for all the work he's done for the American Cancer Socierty, on the other if he won those tours with pharmaceutical help we should know about it. Who do you like for this year's TDF? Which teams will be strongest? And do I have to suffer through genial Bob doing the commentary again or is the show going back where it rightfully belongs to Phil and Paul?
Paddy Kilmurray
Roar Pro
His ability against the clock is amazing, provided he gets to the rest day intact i think he's got a real shot in the GIro, fingers crossed. I think Saxo will stick with the Schleck's for the tdf, mainly because Richie is so young and may struggle to back up. I have to keep telling myself that this is his first 3 week race! Incredible! I think the Landis situation is only going to get worse before it gets better. Lance came out and said all the right things today, there's just something not right about the whole thing, whether Floyds lost his mind or not these are disturbing allegations. I highly doubt whether it will affect Lance, these things have been water off a ducks back in years past (as i type he has just crashed out of the TOC).