Richie Porte Discussion Thread.

[Lupi33]

You may be right, but it always seems at odds with the usual balanced tone SBS adopts to have such strident fanboyism. I much prefer the more critical approach Craig Foster and others take when discussing the Socceroos.

I think Mike Tomalaris goes too far. I recall towards the end of the 2012 Dauphine Libre he made what to me was a quite outrageous comment comparing Brad Wiggins unfavorably to Cadel Evans. It sticks in my mind because even Henk Volkers seemed annoyed by it. As for his absurd insistance on placing Evans on a level alongside Sir Donald Bradman...

Sorry to drift OT....who were we talking about?

I dunno
Craig Foster LOL that guy is a mental case

he cant see past Barcelona

 

[MatParker117]

Can he take it to Nibali?

 

[SeriousSam]

I've always feared this moment could happen but I believe the time has come. Henceforth I will have to hope that Porte does well.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Cadel Evans had a lot go his way when he won in 2011. Australian cycling history about to repeat itself?

But let's see what happens first on these last two climbs of today...

 

[Afrank]

Can he take it to Nibali?

I think he'll podium now. Beating Nibali though? I doubt it. But I guess anything is possible.

Would be cool if he would find his stride and be a rider that makes Nibali fight for it.

 

[AICA ribonucleotide]

Lost time to Pinot, Valverde, Peraud and Bardet and Van Garderen today but somehow is still second favourite?

This guy will lost proper time in the real mountains.

 

[Eclipse]

Lost time to Pinot, Valverde, Peraud and Bardet and Van Garderen today but somehow is still second favourite?

This guy will lost proper time in the real mountains.

He just got out kicked on the steep ramp at the end after everyone else sat on his wheel for 3k. He'll still be fine imo

 

[Forunculo]

He is no close from last year level.

 

[del1962]

He just got out kicked on the steep ramp at the end after everyone else sat on his wheel for 3k. He'll still be fine imo

Exactly there where a lot of wheelsuckers who used Porte's wheel, at least one of the AG2R guys should have taken a pull, don't think Richie was happy about it in the end.

 

[MBotero]

I don't believe is Porte year,if he was the same Porte from 2013 maybe he could have challenged for the win,but Porte 2014 i don't think is aiming for more then a podium spot.I'm curious if he can hold back El Bala in the fight for 2nd place.

 

[movingtarget]

Exactly there where a lot of wheelsuckers who used Porte's wheel, at least one of the AG2R guys should have taken a pull, don't think Richie was happy about it in the end.

Valverde what would you expect. He comes to the front for the sprint.

 

[movingtarget]

I don't believe is Porte year,if he was the same Porte from 2013 maybe he could have challenged for the win,but Porte 2014 i don't think is aiming for more then a podium spot.I'm curious if he can hold back El Bala in the fight for 2nd place.

The TT should sort that out.

 

[del1962]

Valverde what would you expect. He comes to the front for the sprint.

Pinot, Bardet, Peraud and TJ all sucking Richies Wheel too

 

[the_cutter]

Valverde what would you expect. He comes to the front for the sprint.

Valverde to wheelsuck Porte and outsprint him to gain 5'' in each MTF. Don't worry - Porte to catch him in the TT and show him the finger.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Valverde to wheelsuck Porte and outsprint him to gain 5'' in each MTF. Don't worry - Porte to catch him in the TT and show him the finger.

I would love this!

 

[MBotero]

Valverde to wheelsuck Porte and outsprint him to gain 5'' in each MTF. Don't worry - Porte to catch him in the TT and show him the finger.

Sounds reasonable enough

 

[JRanton]

Nibali is clearly the strongest rider in the race with a comfortable advantage already so there's no point racing for the win now. Try and secure a podium spot which would be very good for Porte.

 

[alspacka]

Valverde to wheelsuck Porte and outsprint him to gain 5'' in each MTF. Don't worry - Porte to catch him in the TT and show him the finger.

Haha nice comment

 

[RobbieCanuck]

Nibali is clearly the strongest rider in the race with a comfortable advantage already so there's no point racing for the win now. Try and secure a podium spot which would be very good for Porte.

Wouldn't it make more sense to go for the win and end up on the podium anyways? The minute he gets defensive and simply protects second place is the minute he will get kicked to death. His unexpected position this early in the race is an opportunity he may never get again. I say go for it.

 

[karlboss]

Wouldn't it make more sense to go for the win and end up on the podium anyways? The minute he gets defensive and simply protects second place is the minute he will get kicked to death. His unexpected position this early in the race is an opportunity he may never get again. I say go for it.

Surely the case for about 10 guys, would be a pity to waste it.

 

[ILovecycling]

I have just read on TdF twitter that the objective is jersey,not podium.Good for the race I guess,but then he shouldnt look back.
Hopefuly he and Pinot can do something in high mountains,otherwise it will be a boring Tour (dont count on Piti)

 

[movingtarget]

Valverde to wheelsuck Porte and outsprint him to gain 5'' in each MTF. Don't worry - Porte to catch him in the TT and show him the finger.

The three or four riders lining up behind Valverde including Costa and TJVG will all beat Valverde in the TT easily. He has to make time in the mountains otherwise he is no certainty for the podium. Bardet and Pinot don't have a very good TT but they should do well in the mountains. Nibali's time gain yesterday was not decisive. It was a strong win but the big mountains are yet to come. His team did much better yesterday especially Scarponi who was anonomous for the stages before that. I think Saxo were all in shock. They will go for stage wins now especially Rogers and Roche. I think Porte is in a great position with a long way to go.

 

[MBotero]

“Anyone is beatable,” said Little Richie looks like he'll give a try to the jersey after all.I'm glad he's gonna test Nibali,i'm not sure he can really win this year but at least he'll try and not settle for a podium position.What i don't like is that is counting on Valverde to light the things up too,Valverde is always the guy who's playing safe above all,but maybe he'll reconsider his chances,Valverde like Porte still can win this Tour.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Porte in PN '13 form would not have dropped time to the Frenchies on stage 10.
The question is : Can he step up?

 

[jens_attacks]

i hope he can attack in the pyrenees even if the alpes are perfect for him.