Brailsford: “There is no reason why he can’t go in to a Grand Tour and challenge for victory”
Gaining confidence that he can challenge for victory in one of cycling’s three week races, Richie Porte has decided to extend his contract with Team Sky and will be a core part of the squad for the future.
The 28 year old clocked up victory in Paris-Nice this year and was also runner-up in Criterium International and Vuelta al Pais Vasco, thus confirming his potential. Now, having weighed up other offers, he has put pen to paper with Sky and will remain part of the team after the end of 2013.
“I’m really happy at Team Sky and this was always the best scenario for me. I’ve had a great two years with the team and I feel at home here,” he said, confirming the news. “There was interest from other teams but Team Sky are the best in the world, with the best staff and riders. Guys like Tim Kerrison have helped me become a better rider and I know I can improve further working with the performance team we have here.”
After turning pro with Team Saxo Tinkoff in 2010, Porte had a season which pointed to big things. He led the Giro d’Italia after gaining significant time in a big break, then held on to finish seventh overall and take the best young rider jersey. He was also fourth in the Tour of Britain, the Eneco Tour and the world time trial championships, as well as netting a time trial stage win plus tenth overall in the Tour de Romandie.
Time trial victories in the Vuelta a Castilla y León and the Tour of Denmark followed in 2011, then after he moved to Team Sky in 2012 he won a stage plus the overall in the Volta ao Algarve.
He rode for Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome in the Tour de France and was also fourth in both the Tour de Romandie and the Bayern Rundfarht.
Team principal Dave Brailsford describes Porte as having been a ‘key part’ of the team’s stage race success since joining the team, and sees the new contract as a statement of intent.
He’s clear that he has big potential for improvement. “Every time he has taken on a leadership role he has excelled. We saw at Paris-Nice exactly what Richie is capable of and there is no doubt that there is a lot more to come from him,” he said.
“If he maintains his current trajectory there is no reason why he can’t go in to a Grand Tour and challenge for victory.”
Results such as his Paris-Nice victory mean that Porte is gaining confidence, and he’s ready to aim higher. “With this new contract comes an added responsibility, and while I’m more than happy to help guys like Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins in the future, I’d love to lead the squad in a Grand Tour next season.”