Richie Porte - what do we know about him?

[Dear Wiggo]

He also didn't have almost the entire season out with illness leading up to the Tour. I would expect him to be under the levels he was achieving last year, since his training must have been affected.

Except the lack of racing means he's fresher, and every time he got back from training he either said he was flying, going better than last year, or looking forward to stomping the next race.

 

[JimmyFingers]

Except the lack of racing means he's fresher, and every time he got back from training he either said he was flying, going better than last year, or looking forward to stomping the next race.

Mind games. He has very little racing in his legs, and none of his performances in the Dauphine or the Tour suggest that any of what he claims is true. I'm sure he'll have one or two good days on the Tour, but Nibbles looks as good as he ever has at the moment.

 

[Catwhoorg]

Maybe Nibali could test positive? He is already very suspect in bot-land so this would come as a surprise to no one. Then Porte could cruise to victory.

Probably more likely than a Nibali crash, but maybe just a little too obvious...

 

[Red Rick]

That's the Richie Porte we all know and love

 

[the sceptic]

That's the Richie Porte we all know and love

Good clean performance by him today.

 

[hfer07]

Oh Richie..... It seems like a long time when last year you trashed all the best climbers in the world as a Domestique.....

I guess the UCI free pass has been revoked?

 

[webvan]

Yathink? Brailsford really needs to have his head examined...

 

[JimmyFingers]

Haha hilarious. What happened to the rest day turbo-charging and Brailsford winning 3 tours with 3 riders? Perhaps some of you will learn a lesson, but. I severely doubt it.

 

[thehog]

Good clean performance by him today.

I'd say what we saw today is about right for his talents. So much for climbing faster than Froome in training.

Walsh will be crying.

 

[Catwhoorg]

Plan B should have been stage hunting from the moment Froome went down badly.

G could have been laying it down in the cobbles stage with Boom, then the rest stage hunt whenever the opportunity presents.

 

[JimmyFingers]

Plan B should have been stage hunting from the moment Froome went down badly.

G could have been laying it down in the cobbles stage with Boom, then the rest stage hunt whenever the opportunity presents.

Let loose the monster that is Kiriyenka

 

[thehog]

Haha hilarious. What happened to the rest day turbo-charging and Brailsford winning 3 tours with 3 riders? Perhaps some of you will learn a lesson, but. I severely doubt it.

Sounds like Brailsford was scared to ask for a TUE & spooked by JTL

 

[JimmyFingers]

Yes, he was spooked by a doping case almost a year old.

You need to look up spooked.

Not that I have much sympathy for Brailsford: his much-vaunted plan A and plan B are in tatters. Maybe he should start searching for a French rider for next season. Beurgeil may be persuaded.

I'm glad about today, believe it or not. Good to see Sky fail, soppy tw@ts

 

[Catwhoorg]

Let loose the monster that is Kiriyenka

Any of them...
Well probably not Xabier or Pate these days, but the other 6 are all potential stage winners on the right stage.

 

[thehog]

Not that I have much sympathy for Brailsford: his much-vaunted plan A and plan B are in tatters. Maybe he should start searching for a French rider for next season. Beurgeil may be persuaded.

I'm glad about today, believe it or not. Good to see Sky fail, soppy tw@ts

Porte had a virus apparently. Who knows with Sky. They are always sick

They are a strong team but their tactics suck big time.

 

[Parker]

Any of them...
Well probably not Xabier or Pate these days, but the other 6 are all potential stage winners on the right stage.

Xabier's chances are somewhat hampered by his abandonment on Stage 6.

 

[bigcog]

Xabier's chances are somewhat hampered by his abandonment on Stage 6.

Very dry lol

 

[doperhopper]

Haha hilarious. What happened to the rest day turbo-charging and Brailsford winning 3 tours with 3 riders? Perhaps some of you will learn a lesson, but. I severely doubt it.

Don't underestimate Brailsfraud. Deliberately starting this season on lesser juice not to be too suspicious, show "human face" in Dauphine. Knowing what's going to happen (JTL bust medialized) he silently crashed out Vroom, now he'll take out little Richie (best way would be to mention some african infection to keep the style) and go full genius on (marginally more "friendly") Vuelta.

 

[Catwhoorg]

Xabier's chances are somewhat hampered by his abandonment on Stage 6.

That too.


But in 2011, when Wiggo went down, the team really animated the race and actually won a stage. Challenged for a few more. (Flecha was well on his way to being close before being driven into the barbed wire fence)

 

[JRanton]

Yathink? Brailsford really needs to have his head examined...

Here you are again...

Please don't say Wiggins should have been plan B because he won the ''4th grand tour of the year'' against first and second year pros in the US of A.

 

[Parker]

That too.


But in 2011, when Wiggo went down, the team really animated the race and actually won a stage. Challenged for a few more. (Flecha was well on his way to being close before being driven into the barbed wire fence)

I think Nieve will win a stage. They probably should have let him ride on today, though.

 

[JRanton]

I'd say what we saw today is about right for his talents. So much for climbing faster than Froome in training.
Walsh will be crying.

I assumed that was only when Froome was recovering after his Dauphine crash.


Last 3 grand tour GC results for Sky:

Vuelta 2013: best placed rider - Rigoberto Uran - 27th

Giro 2014: best placed rider - Sebastian Henao - 22nd

Tour 2014: best placed rider - currently Richie Porte - 16th at 11 minutes down


Terrible year for Sky since Froome won yellow in Paris.

 

[JRanton]

Plan B should have been stage hunting from the moment Froome went down badly.

G could have been laying it down in the cobbles stage with Boom, then the rest stage hunt whenever the opportunity presents.

Brailsford doesn't give a **** about stage wins.

 

[argyllflyer]

Don't underestimate Brailsfraud. Deliberately starting this season on lesser juice not to be too suspicious, show "human face" in Dauphine. Knowing what's going to happen (JTL bust medialized) he silently crashed out Vroom, now he'll take out little Richie (best way would be to mention some african infection to keep the style) and go full genius on (marginally more "friendly") Vuelta.

The amusing thing is, you're probably serious. Did I say amusing? On second thoughts, it's scary reality is full of loonies like you! At least christmas must be easy - tinfoil hat again please!

 

[frenchfry]

I assumed that was only when Froome was recovering after his Dauphine crash.


Last 3 grand tour GC results for Sky:

Vuelta 2013: best placed rider - Rigoberto Uran - 27th

Giro 2014: best placed rider - Sebastian Henao - 22nd

Tour 2014: best placed rider - currently Richie Porte - 16th at 11 minutes down


Terrible year for Sky since Froome won yellow in Paris.

Marginal losses?

I would have been surprised if Porte had done well this tour going by his form lately.