It cant be form - Hamilton won a stage at TA and Haig rode strongly in support of S.Yates at TA - And Mitchelton always allow their riders to ride in the World's - And Schultz from Mitchelton is the replacement - Which suggests politics.
It cant be form - Hamilton won a stage at TA and Haig rode strongly in support of S.Yates at TA - And Mitchelton always allow their riders to ride in the World's - And Schultz from Mitchelton is the replacement - Which suggests politics.
Would be nice, but Porte is not explosive enough anymore to get away from small group, I think. Matthews is top aussie for this if he's on his best form.
Officially a Skyneosgrenadier now, along with Pidcock.
I think Porte saw what happened at BMC and wanted a (close to) guaranteed paycheck for the end of his career. Nothing wrong with that.
I said before the tour that he could follow wheels and get a top 10 in his sleep. while he did much, much better, that's essentially what he did.
I had rated Roglic, Pogacar, Bernal, Froome and/or Thomas, Pinot, Lopez and Landa above him. But he hung in there when others flamed out or crashed out, or were deselected...
I'll be pulling for Richie to get a few more big wins in the next two years, although part of me wishes he wasn't at Ineos to double down on the underdog facttor...
I think Porte saw what happened at BMC and wanted a (close to) guaranteed paycheck for the end of his career. Nothing wrong with that.
I said before the tour that he could follow wheels and get a top 10 in his sleep. while he did much, much better, that's essentially what he did.
I had rated Roglic, Pogacar, Bernal, Froome and/or Thomas, Pinot, Lopez and Landa above him. But he hung in there when others flamed out or crashed out, or were deselected...
I'll be pulling for Richie to get a few more big wins in the next two years, although part of me wishes he wasn't at Ineos to double down on the underdog facttor...
- Feb 20, 2012
- 53,931
- 44,320
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He checked the Tour podium off his list. Basically only thing that remains is a Tour stage probably.
I can see him go the Mick Rogers route to a few GT stages in the twilight of his career. Not the worst way to go out.
Yet he made the podium in the Tour and knows that will be the best he will do before heading back to domestique duties. How's Pinot going ? The years are ticking by. With the Sky/Ineos record in the Tour I guess a bad year was overdue. Porte was signed because he's a quality domestique. I'm sure other teams were interested as well. With the squad Ineos has at their disposal I think desperate might be stretching it. More like they need form riders and healthy ones like every other team.
- Aug 6, 2010
- 6,884
- 6,216
- 23,180
I hope that Simon Clarke goes deep into the race, just in case there is a necessary wheel change.
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
- 6,177
- 6,683
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Few if any results after previous TdFs don’t count. When was the last time we had Covid delay most of the normal season? No TDU, no PN etc. Porte should be much fresher than after any TdF he has completed previously. You could still end up right but not for the logic you stated. History is not a guide this year.
Signing with Ineos as a dom doesn't necessarily mean he's finished as a GT contender. The team had multiple Tour leaders in 2018-19, and would have had this year if either Thomas or Froome had shown more promise. Richie could be one of those doms who contends for the podium behind the leader, or takes over if the leader falters or abandons.
He got sick with a chest infection and was diagnosed with pneumonia after the race from what I remember. He was still a bit raw then anyway, I think he was a better GC rider between 2016-2018 and had little team leader experience before that except in the short stagee races His 7th in the 2010 Giro was courtesy of being in a freakish break of 50 or so riders in atrocious weather. The stage was so chaotic that the stronger teams temporarily lost control of the race. Unfortunately his best years physically were his worst for crashes, ill timed mechanicals and bad luck.
He can clearly finish today but if you miss the main move in a big one-day race you might as well drop out.
I don't think Porte is a favorite but otoh is is the world championships, on a great course, with international TV exposure.
I don't think Porte is a favorite but otoh is is the world championships, on a great course, with international TV exposure.
A decent ride and provided good support for Matthews.
- May 23, 2009
- 10,256
- 1,455
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Yes he was only 1.34 behind the winner. The final climb seemed to be too much for him when the pace went up. But it was the same for Matthews and Dumoulin as well. Matthews did well to finish 7th.
- Apr 12, 2015
- 7,060
- 1,204
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He is a great rider but for some reason he always suffer on these murito-like climbs. Not explosive enough?
He's never exactly been a great one-day rider, never mind on steeper climbs.
- Mar 13, 2009
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- 3,482
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Porte lacks pure explosivity for this. But then again, didn't near all GC riders did?
He said recently he no longer has the power on the climbs to follow big accelerations, it takes him longer to react which is deadly in one day races. Seemed that way in the Tour, he would sometimes get dropped and ride back at his own pace.
Cookster15
Moderator
- May 14, 2011
- 6,177
- 6,683
- 23,180
Another nice ride by Porte today in La Flèche Wallonne. Those who rode the TdF continue to be prominent.
Richie was peaking for LBL all along, gonna smash it on the cote de la willunga VDB style
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