Richie Porte Discussion Thread.

[Carstenbf]

What BIG IF Contador can't drop Porte on climbs ?

All Porte has to do now is to follow Contador wheel and he finish on podium, no need for heroics on front.

Did you not watch Dauphine? T'is but a month ago Bertie planted Richie well and good. Twice. I mean, sure things could've changed in a month, but wouldn't you think it prudent to expect the same outcome here as a starting point?

 

[darwin553]

What BIG IF Contador can't drop Porte on climbs ?

All Porte has to do now is to follow Contador wheel and he finish on podium, no need for heroics on front.

He would have a chance to make the podium even if he didn't hold Contador's wheel. 2013 Porte unhitched from helping Froome would wipe the floor with Contador if he were in the same form and condition as he was last year. But sadly for the 1% on here that support Porte he isn't

 

[GThere2]

Porte will be up for the task.

This is racing at its best.

Hmm I thought no way Porte. But he looks ready for the challenge - he's a small rider on cobbles having crashed, yet still gained 43s on Contador (ok thanks to Thomas).

Pics like this sum up why they put cobbles in

 

[Cookster15]

Did you not watch Dauphine? T'is but a month ago Bertie planted Richie well and good. Twice. I mean, sure things could've changed in a month, but wouldn't you think it prudent to expect the same outcome here as a starting point?

Porte was originally targeting the Giro until he got sick. At the Dauphine I think he was still recovering his form. Contador has been in good form all season. While I doubt Richie will beat AC I don't think we can read too much into what happened in the Dauphine. Anyhow a month is a long time ago. Form can change in that time - especially given the circumstances.

 

[maxmartin]

Porte nuclear tomorrow!!!

 

[alspacka]

Turned out to be a good decision to lead the sprint out given the shambles going on immediately behind.

 

[maxmartin]

looking good today. expect big thing from him tomorrow. Stage Winner? Gap other GC contenders? Took some time from AC?

 

[SeriousSam]

Porte surely is a better climber than Nibali. Going to drop him tomorrow I think.

 

[maxmartin]

Porte surely is a better climber than Nibali. Going to drop him tomorrow I think.

Nibali will hang on, but AC could be in a little trouble. But the gap will be only a few seconds.

 

[jens_attacks]

that mini attack made me jump off the bed. i like richie. i think he's in some kind of exceptional form, we'll see in the vosges...

 

[maxmartin]

that mini attack made me jump off the bed. i like richie. i think he's in some kind of exceptional form, we'll see in the vosges...

Sir B said RP climbs better than ever, but I don't know how much we should trust his words. B is all over the place these days.

 

[Angliru]

That is one ugly creature!

 

[Eclipse]

Tomorrow is the debut of turbo Ritchie the GC contender

 

[Liquigas]

Looking forward to see him blowing away everyone on the next stages specially on Monday.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

rp has remarkably white teeth.

 

[Cookster15]

That is one ugly creature!

Tasmanian Devils are cute until they open their mouth or worse latch onto an arm or leg- they don't let go like a Pitt Bull and those jaws are said to be able to crush bones. I hope Richie performs that way this TDF (in a sporting way)

 

[spanky wanderlust]

Looking forward to see him blowing away everyone on the next stages specially on Monday.

it's odd to watch a whole bunch of people who just a few years ago were hyping rp as a future gt prospect now dismissing him as a potential contender.

i'm not sure why. could be many reasons. many don't like sky. that might have something to do with it.

i also think a lot of people look at his results as a domestique and use them to measure his potential to win if given the chance. they get confused. if anything, his demonstration of overall gt skills as a domestique should prove his abilities.

i'd give him a better shot of winning a gt (right now) than team leaders like jvdb or tgbm honestly. not because i like him more, mind you, but just based on current development, his tt ability, and his team.

 

[Cookster15]

it's odd to watch a whole bunch of people who just a few years ago were hyping rp as a future gt prospect now dismissing him as a potential contender.

i'm not sure why. could be many reasons. many don't like sky. that might have something to do with it.

i also think a lot of people look at his results as a domestique and use them to measure his potential to win if given the chance. they get confused. if anything, his demonstration of overall gt skills as a domestique should prove his abilities.

i'd give him a better shot of winning a gt (right now) than team leaders like jvdb or tgbm honestly. not because i like him more, mind you, but just based on current development, his tt ability, and his team.

It was Porte's riding on the AX3 and Alpe stages last year that really made me sit up and take notice. Then he was also impressive in the TDU wrecking Cadel's chances on the final climb. If he does not have a bad day it may well get very interesting. I hope so, I was disappointed Porte missed his chance to lead at the Giro but who knows things happen for a reason. Perhaps we are about to find out the next two weeks.

 

[naviman]

Looks like 71 people were wrong in thinking he would win the GT treble this year

 

[TANK91]

Great ride Richie if any GC rider is not suited to this stuff it is probably you(yes i no he was 2nd or 3rd in P-V), really would love to see him on podium he deserves it. also proves the Wiggo brigade wrong, can you imagine Wiggo without Froome babysitting him on this sort of climb lol.

 

[TANK91]

It was Porte's riding on the AX3 and Alpe stages last year that really made me sit up and take notice. Then he was also impressive in the TDU wrecking Cadel's chances on the final climb. If he does not have a bad day it may well get very interesting. I hope so, I was disappointed Porte missed his chance to lead at the Giro but who knows things happen for a reason. Perhaps we are about to find out the next two weeks.

Yes i agree he also won won Paris Nice last year. Porte was argubly the 3rd best climber in the TDF. Obviously he did not have consistency but on AX-3 and Alpe he was as good as anyone.

 

[Richeypen]

Great ride Richie if any GC rider is not suited to this stuff it is probably you(yes i no he was 2nd or 3rd in P-V), really would love to see him on podium he deserves it. also proves the Wiggo brigade wrong, can you imagine Wiggo without Froome babysitting him on this sort of climb lol.

How so ?

 

[Forunculo]

Porte TDF 2014 winner Who's next for 2015? Nieve or Thomas?

On a serious note very solid in a "Valverde" scenario. He still has Nieve, Garaint and David Lopez at his side. I don't see him beating Nibali and AC but top favourite for a podium with the final ITT in hand.

 

[TANK91]

How so ?

Because people said Sky were stupid what if Froome crashes they have no 2nd option? When clearly they do. You telling me Wiggins is a better climber than Porte?. Porte's problem was inconsisteny if he is like last year's climbing form then lookout. Im sure you'd agree Porte on AX-3 last year was impressive as anything Wiggins as ever done uphill, im sure Porte finshed 3rd after doing most of work, he even beat Kreuizger and Contador on AX-3 he was insane

 

[cineteq]

Porte TDF 2014 winner Who's next for 2015? Nieve or Thomas?

Thomas of course, he follows the pattern.