Why did Porte Stay with Sky?

[singlecog]

Clinic comments aside, does anyone know why Porte would stay with sky as a domestique and at best 3 smaller stage races as leader a year (maybe a grand tour in a year or two) instead of GC leader in almost every other team??

Wiggins showed that pre this TDF how much he likes sharing with Froome.... now add Porte next Giro and.......

I mean he is behind wiggns and froome (both from UK, on a british team!!!) are who are besides Nibali, the best to GC riders.

Unless it was seriously high offer $$$$, the strangest decision of the year.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

He has a colonial hangover.

 

[JRanton]

He's been promised leadership at the Giro next year. Sky are done with Wiggins.

 

[karlboss]

He's been promised leadership at the Giro next year. Sky are done with Wiggins.

This.

Porte has developed beyond expectation with Sky. To continue to develop at another team is a risk, so Sky is the best option. In terms of money, Richie may have been offered more money else where, but he probably knows that in 2 years time with a GT result under his belt he can ask for far more and make up for the 2 years at slightly lower pay. If leaving Sky he doesn't expect the results he wants then I wouldn't leave them either.

 

[martinvickers]

As Sky themselves might say, it's just the numbers.

Wiggins is 33, and it's arguable how dedicated he is after his annus mirabilis. In all seriousness, going back to team pursuit, perhaps even with Cavendish, might make him happier. Barring a tour with 150km of TT, Wiggins ain't leading a sky team again.

In fact, if Wiggo wanted to lead at the tour again, his best bet might be to make peace with Vaughters, pick a TT heavy Tour, and try and get a train going.

Froome is porte's best friend in the peleton. That matters, re jealousy etc - he will tolerate second billing to Froome longer than anyone else.

Giro is waiting for him, as Vuelta is for Henao. Uran has shown what's possible, and he's going.

And if Froome really wants to contend at the tour for the next 6 years as his latest interview suggests, one of those years the odds say he's gonna have bad luck, injury, etc - id Porte is designated no. 2, a tour could open up for him. Mig won 5, as did hinault, and Lemond 3 - but Roche also picked off one when the various stars aligned.

And the bottom line is Sky are, currently, by a country mile the best stage racing team (placeings in last 5 GT's - 2,3 - 7 - 1,2 - 4 - 2 )Some other teams have exceptional riders - Nibali, Contador, Quintana, etc - but Porte is not really, i suspect, in that category - i don't think, one on one, he can beat Froome either.

And finally, Sky pay blooming well, even for no. 3 on the squad.

 

[karlboss]

As Sky themselves might say, it's just the numbers.

Wiggins is 33, and it's arguable how dedicated he is after his annus mirabilis. In all seriousness, going back to team pursuit, perhaps even with Cavendish, might make him happier. Barring a tour with 150km of TT, Wiggins ain't leading a sky team again.

In fact, if Wiggo wanted to lead at the tour again, his best bet might be to make peace with Vaughters, pick a TT heavy Tour, and try and get a train going.

Froome is porte's best friend in the peleton. That matters, re jealousy etc - he will tolerate second billing to Froome longer than anyone else.

Giro is waiting for him, as Vuelta is for Henao. Uran has shown what's possible, and he's going.

And if Froome really wants to contend at the tour for the next 6 years as his latest interview suggests, one of those years the odds say he's gonna have bad luck, injury, etc - id Porte is designated no. 2, a tour could open up for him. Mig won 5, as did hinault, and Lemond 3 - but Roche also picked off one when the various stars aligned.

And the bottom line is Sky are, currently, by a country mile the best stage racing team (placeings in last 5 GT's - 2,3 - 7 - 1,2 - 4 - 2 )Some other teams have exceptional riders - Nibali, Contador, Quintana, etc - but Porte is not really, i suspect, in that category - i don't think, one on one, he can beat Froome either.

And finally, Sky pay blooming well, even for no. 3 on the squad.

Any idea what they are paying their stars? I know the total bill for rider salaries in 2011 were 10-11 million pounds. Be interesting to see if that has changed and how it's distributed.

 

[nick101]

i disagree about wiggins. I think they'll support him for maybe one gt a year over the next couple of years, but froome will always be top dog. Once henao and porte have developed, then it'll be his time to go as he will probably be too old then anyway. I mean to win the tdf then be isolated by the team doesn't make sense to me. As for porte I think its the best thing to stay at sky as he will be under froomes 'wing'. he'll learn to climb better by working and training with the likes of froome. at the moment porte climbs about the same level as wiggins but still has a lot of room to develop which will be encouraged by working hard for froome and his 'experimental' giro leadership next year.

 

[hfer07]

If he's smart enough- he could well profit from going for Il Giro & Vuelta tittles while Froome is busy collecting TDF tittles

 

[nick101]

no only one gt a year max. henao will be given his opportunity at the vuelta next year, so porte will only have the giro next year. judging from his current pathway, froome will stick to the tour and may try a double in a few years. so porte will always be guaranteed at least one gt, with henao the other option if the third is without a leader. porte will possibly do the vuelta next year after doing the giro, but will probably be working for henao unless uran stays (which is unlikely)

 

[TubularBills]

Clinic comments aside, does anyone know why Porte would stay with sky as a domestique and at best 3 smaller stage races as leader a year (maybe a grand tour in a year or two) instead of GC leader in almost every other team??

Wiggins showed that pre this TDF how much he likes sharing with Froome.... now add Porte next Giro and.......

I mean he is behind wiggns and froome (both from UK, on a british team!!!) are who are besides Nibali, the best to GC riders.

Unless it was seriously high offer $$$$, the strangest decision of the year.

Hmm... maybe the money? Or the fringe benefits. All aces.

 

[gooner]

Porte will get the leadership of the Giro next year on condition he works for Froome once again in the Tour. No way then he will ride the Vuelta afterwards.

It's practically inevitable he will get itchy feet at some stage and I'm sure he foresees this himself - hence the reason only a one year extension. Taking into account Froome's age and his comments about targeting the Tour consistently over the next 6/7 years it's nearly certain he will never get this opportunity at Sky so he probably has a career planned out ahead afterwards.

 

[thehog]

Clinic comments aside, does anyone know why Porte would stay with sky as a domestique and at best 3 smaller stage races as leader a year (maybe a grand tour in a year or two) instead of GC leader in almost every other team??

Wiggins showed that pre this TDF how much he likes sharing with Froome.... now add Porte next Giro and.......

I mean he is behind wiggns and froome (both from UK, on a british team!!!) are who are besides Nibali, the best to GC riders.

Unless it was seriously high offer $$$$, the strangest decision of the year.

It's an interesting question.

One I suspect only a few can answer.

I asked this question sometime ago. He appears to have little ambition even after winning a race like Paris-Nice.

It's a bizarre situation.

Reminds me a lot of Jackse at CSC. Won some good races but didn't really want to be a GT leader.

I like Porte. Like him a lot. Wish he'd ride for GreenEdge.

I really do.

 

[karlboss]

Porte will get the leadership of the Giro next year on condition he works for Froome once again in the Tour. No way then he will ride the Vuelta afterwards.

It's practically inevitable he will get itchy feet at some stage and I'm sure he foresees this himself - hence the reason only a one year extension. Taking into account Froome's age and his comments about targeting the Tour consistently over the next 6/7 years it's nearly certain he will never get this opportunity at Sky so he probably has a career planned out ahead afterwards.

SBS reported it was to the end of 2015,

 

[gooner]

SBS reported it was to the end of 2015,

Strange in the circumstances. One year would have been in his best interests and go from there.

 

[karlboss]

Porte will get the leadership of the Giro next year on condition he works for Froome once again in the Tour. No way then he will ride the Vuelta afterwards.

It's practically inevitable he will get itchy feet at some stage and I'm sure he foresees this himself - hence the reason only a one year extension. Taking into account Froome's age and his comments about targeting the Tour consistently over the next 6/7 years it's nearly certain he will never get this opportunity at Sky so he probably has a career planned out ahead afterwards.

SBS reported it was to the end of 2015, in fact I can find a number of sources stating 2015, and 2 year extension.

 

[karlboss]

Strange in the circumstances. One year would have been in his best interests and go from there.

Surely Sky would have liked 2 years and sweetening the deal until they got it.

 

[maxmartin]

It's an interesting question.

One I suspect only a few can answer.

I asked this question sometime ago. He appears to have little ambition even after winning a race like Paris-Nice.

It's a bizarre situation.

Reminds me a lot of Jackse at CSC. Won some good races but didn't really want to be a GT leader.

I like Porte. Like him a lot. Wish he'd ride for GreenEdge.

I really do.

The more bizarre thing is he cited "he could ride for himself" as the biggest reason he leaving Saxo.

 

[TubularBills]

It's an interesting question.

One I suspect only a few can answer.

I asked this question sometime ago. He appears to have little ambition even after winning a race like Paris-Nice.

It's a bizarre situation.

Reminds me a lot of Jackse at CSC. Won some good races but didn't really want to be a GT leader.

I like Porte. Like him a lot. Wish he'd ride for GreenEdge.

I really do.

Good point, I remember when you posed it originally. [Giro 2010?]

Could be youth?

... biding his time and capitalizing in the moment.

Not a good time to be a star...

~ Sir Whac-A-Mole

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/7741445/Giro-dItalia-2010-Richie-Porte-takes-overall-lead-as-Evgeni-Petrov-wins-stage-11.html

 

[gooner]

Good point, I remember when you posed it originally. [Giro 2010?]

Could be youth?

... biding his time and capitalizing in the moment.

Not a good time to be a star...

~ Sir Whack-a-Mole

He's only a few months older than Froome. The youth argument could only be used if the other GT contender in the team was coming to the latter years of his career and so then you could bide your time. You can't say this with Froome.

 

[karlboss]

I asked this question sometime ago. He appears to have little ambition even after winning a race like Paris-Nice.

Has been offered the Giro in 2014, is that not enough ambition? Win one of the big week long stage races and in your next year aim at a GT. Seems ambitious without getting ahead of yourself. He is still unproven over 3 weeks. Apart from his early Giro succes his best finish is 34th at last years tour. This year's tour may see a better result and he'll be wishing he negotiated after the tour instead of before it, i guess we'll see.

For his results right now I think he chose well.

 

[nick101]

no I doubt he'll move in a few years. im pretty sure he realises that unless froome doesn't race the tour, he'll never have a shot at winning the tour - being with sky could actually encourage froome to try a giro-vuelta double and allow porte leadership at the tour (with sky's train his chances are increased also). froome and porte are really good friends so froome would be more than happy to let porte be leader for the tour once in the next 7 or 8 years due to the hard work porte does for froome. as for orica green edge, they'd be out of the question because there's no climbers, only sprinters and classics riders

 

[thehog]

Has been offered the Giro in 2014, is that not enough ambition? Win one of the big week long stage races and in your next year aim at a GT. Seems ambitious without getting ahead of yourself. He is still unproven over 3 weeks. Apart from his early Giro succes his best finish is 34th at last years tour. This year's tour may see a better result and he'll be wishing he negotiated after the tour instead of before it, i guess we'll see.

For his results right now I think he chose well.

He finished 34th because he was on the front for 38 stages consecutive.

He could finish top 10. If he tried.

Not sure GE would have a team strong enough for him.

Next year he can win 2 or three one week races and go for the Giro.

Not sure he could beat Nibali though.

But his attack at Paris-Nice was phenomenal. Out of this world. If he can replicate power like that again then he might just drop Nibs etc.

Still don't understand he's reasoning for staying at Sky. If the Columbians stay then the kitchen will be full of Chef's.

 

[TubularBills]

He's only a few months older than Froome. The youth argument could only be used if the other GT contender in the team was coming to the latter years of his career and so then you could bide your time. You can't say this with Froome.

True. But Froome is Clinic fodder.

Porte?

 

[nick101]

uran is almost certainly leaving, leaving only henao. henao will play the same role porte is currently in, next year and may also be given leadership opportunities in classics, week long races and the vuelta. porte will be second leader if wiggins leaves, but he's friends with froome so there'll be no conflict and they'll get on. froome may even work for porte on the odd occaision like the recent dauphine stage to risoul. give porte a year to further develop and be under the wing of froome and he'll out climb nibali. currently porte and nibali are equal

 

[gooner]

He could finish top 10. If he tried.

He'll do that this year. I'm certain.

The cockiness by Froome in The Times today says there is only one place in the podium left for their rivals.

Not sure GE would have a team strong enough for him.

The team isn't currently set-up to support a main GC rider. Climbing domestiques would need to be acquired and it would have to be a huge undertaken on their part to go down this route. A sizeable budget needed.