Richie Porte (Team Sky) goes into the Tour of Beijing, which starts this Friday, October 11th, with the pressure of being one of the big favourites for overall victory. The 28-year-old Tasmanian has enjoyed by far the best season of his career to date, taking several high profile results for himself as well as helping his teammates to take their own.
Porte’s winning season began with overall victory in Paris-Nice, and continued with second places in the Critérium International, the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and the Critérium du Dauphiné, with the first and third of those behind teammate Chris Froome. He then went on to take by far his best ever Tour de France finish, with 19th place, despite spending the race working for eventual winner Froome, and having suffered a bad day in the Pyrénées.
“The team’s got pressure on me but it’s been a long season,” Porte admitted. “I’m pretty honest with where I am with them but we’ll see what happens. I’ve heard that the climb’s not terribly hard so if that’s the case…
“For the end of season I don’t think that my shape’s too bad. I’ll take it as it comes.”
Porte will be supported in his overall aims by Spanish climber David Lopez, as well as experienced road captains Bernhard Eisel and Mathew Hayman. Also in the team will be neo-pros Ian Boswell, Joe Dombrowski and Josh Edmondson, all of whom will be candidates for the white jersey of the race’s best young rider.
“Lopez is in quite good form,” said Porte. “Bernie and Hayman are always in good condition. Josh Edmondson, our young neo-pro; to be honest he’s probably the most underrated neo pro this year. He’s been absolutely brilliant. In the future he’s going to be a big rider.”
Sky Procycling team for the Tour of Beijing
Ian Boswell, Joe Dombrowski, Josh Edmondson, Bernhard Eisel, Mathew Hayman, David Lopez, Richie Porte