Many questioned Team Sky’s wisdom in not selecting Bradley Wiggins for the 2014 Tour de France, but Sky believed they already had an alternate leader should disaster strike.
On Wednesday, disaster did indeed strike, with Chris Froome crashing out of the Tour de France, ending hopes of a British treble. But it isn’t the end of Sky’s Tour.
2014 could be the making of Richie Porte, who suffered a crash himself on Stage 5. However, Porte climbed back into the saddle following his accident and was paced back to the peloton by Geraint Thomas, who rode like a man possessed.
In fact, Thomas even helped Porte put time into Alberto Contador.
“I saw Contador was struggling a bit on the cobbles,” Thomas told TeamSky.com. “So I said, ‘Richie, get on my wheel, let’s just smash it and see what happens.’”
Thomas said the team believed Porte was always a genuine GC contender, “We came into the race with a two-pronged attack, and now it’s all for Richie.”
Porte finished Stage 5 at 2 minutes 11 seconds behind stage winner Lars Boom, eighth place overall in the general classification, 1 minute 54 down to Vincenzo Nibali, but 43 seconds ahead of Contador.
Porte said after the stage that Sky had begun to plan for the possibility of losing their No. 1 rider after Froome’s crash during Stage 4.
“Given his fall yesterday, it was always going to be hard for Froomey to hang in there,” Porte said. “So the decision was made on the bus that I’d have G (Thomas) and Bernie (Eisel) to ride for me, and they did an incredible job on the wet and slippery roads.”
While it would be a big call to suggest Porte could finish in Paris wearing the yellow jersey, the podium isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.
“Obviously losing Froomey is not good, but Richie is in good form and he’ll definitely be up there in Paris,” said Thomas.
“Richie has got a great chance to ride for himself and I’ve got every confidence that he can do that.”
Porte was equally optimistic about the road to Paris, saying, “Now I have an opportunity to go for as high a GC position as I can.”
Chosen as Sky’s leader for this year’s Giro d’Italia, illness forced Porte to withdraw before the race began. The Tasmanian can climb with the best of them and is one of the best time triallists in the peloton. While he cracked something fierce during Stage 9 in last year’s Tour, that came on that back of a day in which he had ridden relentlessly to put Froome in the Maillot Jaune.
Arguably the most difficult part for Porte is the lack of a super-domestique, as he was to Froome, to support him in the high alps. But Contador is without his main lieutenant too, Roman Kreuziger ruled out under a doping cloud in late June.
Of course, Nibali wears yellow and must now be considered race favourite, with teammate Jakob Fuglsang second overall, and as I said earlier, Porte in the Maillot Jaune on July 27th is a brave call.
But he’s got the talent and the team to finish top three. It’s up to him whether it happens.
Joe Frost
Editor
Right you are Sid. I saw a dark-haired Sky rider standing next to Froome in the rain as he limped into the team car and my rose-coloured glasses for a loyal lieutenant got in the way. Story has been changed to reflect reality. Thanks.
Joe Frost
Editor
Nieve is a fine climber. Fingers crossed he can get another top-ten GC and help push Richie onto the podium. Agree it was a shame Thomas couldn't be there at the pointy end, but isn't it amazing to see what a difference the cobbles can make. A strong Classics rider on a day like that can be every bit as important to an overall winning effort as a strong climber is in the mountain stages. Thomas may not have been able to claim the stage, but if Richie finishes high on GC overall, he'll owe the Welshman in a big way for Stage 5.
Colin N
Guest
On another note, it's a bit of a shame Thomas wasn't allowed to race for himself over the cobbles as he could have been a factor in the latter stages of that race.
Colin N
Guest
"Arguably the most difficult part for Porte is the lack of a super-domestique, as he was to Froome, to support him in the high alps." Nieve's a very fine climber and has finished in the top-12 of all the Grand Tours he has competed in. Thomas is a decent climber too and with Sky not having to control the race, those two could be a factor in the race. Looking at the time differences, it should be a great race actually. Although Contador's team on paper looks strong, only Roche seems to be anywhere close to top form, and if Nibali has found top form it's going to be very difficult to beat him.
Albo
Guest
Great news for us Aussie supporters ! We have a genuine Aussie GC contender to follow for the rest of the tour ! And the mountains coming on the weekend, should give us quick appraisal of his chances over coming weeks !
Sid
Guest
Just a few corrections to your article: Porte didn't wait for Froome after his second crash. At that point Porte was being looked after by Thomas in the peleton. Bernie Eisel waited with Froome. Porte waiting totally contradicts his statement in the article that he had G and Bernie riding for him! Thomas did pace Porte back, but that was after the first cobble section (numbered 9), when he crashed. He was brought back from about the fourth group (which was behind the Contador group) up past Talansky. Porte was showing the effects of his crash as he had ripped shorts and skin missing off his left hip.
rouleur
Guest
lets get behind him. great to have another aussie to cheer on in the GC race! i agree but, it will be gard to win but a podium would be a fantastic result! also, chapeau to nibali for his ride last night. sensational!