Richie Porte Discussion Thread.

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Ah. Hadn't read the news about Nibali's prolonged injury treatment. Porte should be a level higher than the rest, in theory. Anyone know what's happening with Pinot for the rest of the year?

Vuelta=
Uran
Niabli
Chaves
2 Yates
MAL
Carapaz
Aru
Pinot - I bet
Valverde
Quintana & Landa - I bet
Henao
....

Aru, Lopez maybe Uran and Chaves would give Porte a race, Valverde I don't see winning, Carapaz would be competitive probably. The Yates bros were unconvincing this year so far. Both hitting the wall badly in their grand tour attempts. Maybe if the race only went for 10 days they would be fine. The Vuelta is often an odd race, coming in late in the season, previous races are not always a good indicator. Aru and Porte probably need it the most while Valverde would love to do well. A problem for Porte if he lines up is maybe the strength of his team. Dennis will probably be there and Bookwalter and Roche. Dunno who else. Maybe Ventoso.

The Giro wasn't a great indicator of 3 weeks being too long for Yates. It was crazy hard every day. The Vuelta is a lot easier, with almost nothing but unipuerto stages. If Simon Yates is on form again, he won't bonk like he did in Italy.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Ah. Hadn't read the news about Nibali's prolonged injury treatment. Porte should be a level higher than the rest, in theory. Anyone know what's happening with Pinot for the rest of the year?

Vuelta=
Uran
Niabli
Chaves
2 Yates
MAL
Carapaz
Aru
Pinot - I bet
Valverde
Quintana & Landa - I bet
Henao
....

Aru, Lopez maybe Uran and Chaves would give Porte a race, Valverde I don't see winning, Carapaz would be competitive probably. The Yates bros were unconvincing this year so far. Both hitting the wall badly in their grand tour attempts. Maybe if the race only went for 10 days they would be fine. The Vuelta is often an odd race, coming in late in the season, previous races are not always a good indicator. Aru and Porte probably need it the most while Valverde would love to do well. A problem for Porte if he lines up is maybe the strength of his team. Dennis will probably be there and Bookwalter and Roche. Dunno who else. Maybe Ventoso.

The Giro wasn't a great indicator of 3 weeks being too long for Yates. It was crazy hard every day. The Vuelta is a lot easier, with almost nothing but unipuerto stages. If Simon Yates is on form again, he won't bonk like he did in Italy.

Yeah that's true which is why I'm surprised that Dumoulin and Froome are still looking so good in the Tour. Yates went pretty deep early in the Giro and those attacks add up I suppose. Next stage could be an interesting one for the Giro riders, coming after the rest day and it's a long one. I think it's the danger stage especially for Thomas as an unknown quantity over three weeks. Once again in the Tour it's helped Froome that some of his biggest rivals are either injured or crashed out or simply out of form like Quintana. But that's the nature of GT racing.

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Ah. Hadn't read the news about Nibali's prolonged injury treatment. Porte should be a level higher than the rest, in theory. Anyone know what's happening with Pinot for the rest of the year?

Vuelta=
Uran
Niabli
Chaves
2 Yates
MAL
Carapaz
Aru
Pinot - I bet
Valverde
Quintana & Landa - I bet
Henao
....

Technically Movistar won't give their line up for the Vuelta until about a week or so from the start date. HOWEVER, the Vuelta was promised to Valverde way back before the season started so anyone they take is going to work for him. It's very likely Landa goes as Landa has already said he'll work for Valverde at la Vuelta. Also expect the team to be Spanish heavy due to this being their home Grand Tour.

 

[LiquidCrystalDynamic]

Re: Re:

Ah. Hadn't read the news about Nibali's prolonged injury treatment. Porte should be a level higher than the rest, in theory. Anyone know what's happening with Pinot for the rest of the year?

Vuelta=
Uran
Niabli
Chaves
2 Yates
MAL
Carapaz
Aru
Pinot - I bet
Valverde
Quintana & Landa - I bet
Henao
....

Looking at these names makes me think the 2018 Vuelta is prime for either a rider to win their first GT or a Horner-esque surprise (not to imply anything clinic related).

If Porte makes it he may be the strongest, yet as the years go on I think we are less and less sure of what he is capable of. Maybe Quintana will have rode into form by August. I'd watch MAL carefully.

 

[yaco]

Theoretically the uniformity of the Vuelta route should suit Yates - Unipuerto stages in the first half, gradually getting into longer climbs in week two then followed by a flat ITT in stage 16 and then even tougher climbs in week three - Anyway Porte holds an entry at the Vuelta so hoping he rides.

 

[WKA311]

Re: Re:

Ah. Hadn't read the news about Nibali's prolonged injury treatment. Porte should be a level higher than the rest, in theory. Anyone know what's happening with Pinot for the rest of the year?

Vuelta=
Uran
Niabli
Chaves
2 Yates
MAL
Carapaz
Aru
Pinot - I bet
Valverde
Quintana & Landa - I bet
Henao
....

Technically Movistar won't give their line up for the Vuelta until about a week or so from the start date. HOWEVER, the Vuelta was promised to Valverde way back before the season started so anyone they take is going to work for him. It's very likely Landa goes as Landa has already said he'll work for Valverde at la Vuelta. Also expect the team to be Spanish heavy due to this being their home Grand Tour.

Sütterlin is definitely going.

 

[Inquitus]

Porte to Aquablue???

Richie Porte is interested in Aqua Blue
Published on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 14:37
The Australian Richie Porte, leaving BMC, could engage with the Aqua Blue for next season.

https://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/Richie-porte-interesse-aqua-blue/922632?

 

[Leinster]

Unless signing Porte is part of the process whereby AB move up to WT level, I can’t see it.

 

[Inquitus]

Re:

Unless signing Porte is part of the process whereby AB move up to WT level, I can’t see it.

I can't see it either, I agree, why would he join a Conti team with none of the support he deserves, unless they have bigger WT plans?

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Unless signing Porte is part of the process whereby AB move up to WT level, I can’t see it.

No unless Porte is thinking of retiring sooner rather than later and the money on the table is too good to refuse. The way he was talking after the birth of his child, it sounds like he is thinking of life after cycling. Maybe a two year contract will see his career out ? Normally I would say Trek over the other team. He will be 34 early in the new year.

 

[Leinster]

If he’s thinking about life after cycling, then as far as his long-term earnings go he’s probably better off riding for a WT team and trying for a couple more big results, than taking a big short-term paycheck and marking time at continental level.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

If he’s thinking about life after cycling, then as far as his long-term earnings go he’s probably better off riding for a WT team and trying for a couple more big results, than taking a big short-term paycheck and marking time at continental level.

Maybe they are banking on a spot in the World Tour with some new signings. Even continental teams get invited to the bigger races. Still I don't think it will happen. I think he's off to Trek who are also supposed to be signing Valgren so the team is looking stronger already.

 

[jaylew]

Why do I think Richie is at home saying "Geraint? Good on him, but I can out climb Geraint f**king Thomas"

 

[Leinster]

Re:

Why do I think Richie is at home saying "Geraint? Good on him, but I can out climb Geraint f**king Thomas"

Absolutely.


But then again, Richie had his shot in 2014 and completely blew it. And finished 1 place behind Geraint.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Why do I think Richie is at home saying "Geraint? Good on him, but I can out climb Geraint f**king Thomas"

Absolutely.


But then again, Richie had his shot in 2014 and completely blew it. And finished 1 place behind Geraint.

Yeah he will have mixed feelings for sure but also be happy for Thomas. Actually it should encourage Porte even if he isn't part of such a strong team. Might give him a bit of extra motivation for the Vuelta.

 

[del1962]

 

[movingtarget]

Re: Re:

Why do I think Richie is at home saying "Geraint? Good on him, but I can out climb Geraint f**king Thomas"

Absolutely.


But then again, Richie had his shot in 2014 and completely blew it. And finished 1 place behind Geraint.

Well he finished fifth in 2016 which was better than Thomas and his usual luck cost him a podium possibly. As far as I remember Porte had some illness in 2014, bronchitis or something. But having Froome crash out probably wasn't something Porte was expecting nor the leadership afterwards. But he had a bad race obviously. Never recovered after the first time loss.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Why do I think Richie is at home saying "Geraint? Good on him, but I can out climb Geraint f**king Thomas"

Absolutely.


But then again, Richie had his shot in 2014 and completely blew it. And finished 1 place behind Geraint.

Well he finished fifth in 2016 which was better than Thomas and his usual luck cost him a podium possibly. As far as I remember Porte had some illness in 2014, bronchitis or something. But having Froome crash out probably wasn't something Porte was expecting nor the leadership afterwards. But he had a bad race obviously. Never recovered after the first time loss.

Porte was solid that year in Gerardmer and on PdbF. Only broke down on Chamrousse.

 

[cantpedal]

Re: Re:

Ah. Hadn't read the news about Nibali's prolonged injury treatment. Porte should be a level higher than the rest, in theory. Anyone know what's happening with Pinot for the rest of the year?

Vuelta=
Uran
Niabli
Chaves
2 Yates
MAL
Carapaz
Aru
Pinot - I bet
Valverde
Quintana & Landa - I bet
Henao
....

Aru, Lopez maybe Uran and Chaves would give Porte a race, Valverde I don't see winning, Carapaz would be competitive probably. The Yates bros were unconvincing this year so far. Both hitting the wall badly in their grand tour attempts. Maybe if the race only went for 10 days they would be fine. The Vuelta is often an odd race, coming in late in the season, previous races are not always a good indicator. Aru and Porte probably need it the most while Valverde would love to do well. A problem for Porte if he lines up is maybe the strength of his team. Dennis will probably be there and Bookwalter and Roche. Dunno who else. Maybe Ventoso.

The Giro wasn't a great indicator of 3 weeks being too long for Yates. It was crazy hard every day. The Vuelta is a lot easier, with almost nothing but unipuerto stages. If Simon Yates is on form again, he won't bonk like he did in Italy.

Yeah that's true which is why I'm surprised that Dumoulin and Froome are still looking so good in the Tour. Yates went pretty deep early in the Giro and those attacks add up I suppose. Next stage could be an interesting one for the Giro riders, coming after the rest day and it's a long one. I think it's the danger stage especially for Thomas as an unknown quantity over three weeks. Once again in the Tour it's helped Froome that some of his biggest rivals are either injured or crashed out or simply out of form like Quintana. But that's the nature of GT racing.

neither Dumoulin and Froome doing well should be a major supfrise. Froome has shown he can ride 2 GTs back to back multiple times. TD is not putting in explosive attacks and rides within himself at all times. The funny thing is he is the perfect Sky rider in style and temperament.

 

[roundabout]

Re: Re:

Why do I think Richie is at home saying "Geraint? Good on him, but I can out climb Geraint f**king Thomas"

Absolutely.


But then again, Richie had his shot in 2014 and completely blew it. And finished 1 place behind Geraint.

Well he finished fifth in 2016 which was better than Thomas and his usual luck cost him a podium possibly. As far as I remember Porte had some illness in 2014, bronchitis or something. But having Froome crash out probably wasn't something Porte was expecting nor the leadership afterwards. But he had a bad race obviously. Never recovered after the first time loss.

Porte was solid that year in Gerardmer and on PdbF. Only broke down on Chamrousse.

I don't think his preparation was optimal following whatever illness he picked up at Tirreno-Adriatico.

 

[movingtarget]

The fatigue did seem to catch up with them in the final week of the Tour. Dumoulin looked spent after the second last mountain stage and Froome lost time that day.

I hope Richie can do something in the Vuelta. He really needs a grand tour result or a couple of good stage wins but it's the overall he would prefer of course.

 

[yaco]

Anyway the TDU route for 2019 has been announced. Willunga Hill is now the final stage. No Richie in 2019 means a new king of the hill.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Anyway the TDU route for 2019 has been announced. Willunga Hill is now the final stage. No Richie in 2019 means a new king of the hill.

Impey could win the race again again if he picks up enough time bonuses. Without Porte dominating on Willunga it will seem odd.

 

[tobydawq]

He's really not riding?

Then (I haven't scrutinised the route sufficiently to really know this) Sagan could win because the Willunga will not be ridden as fast and aggressively as usually. Of course provided he takes the start again.

 

[yaco]

Re:

He's really not riding?

Then (I haven't scrutinised the route sufficiently to really know this) Sagan could win because the Willunga will not be ridden as fast and aggressively as usually. Of course provided he takes the start again.

His coach has advised him for years not to ride the TDU - Richie is poor at accepting valid advice - he may be listening - Anyway a top 2 at the Vuelta is a minimum requirement.