Although recent years have tended to show that being in strong form in both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France are very difficult for riders to achieve, Richie Porte believes that he can ride well in both races next year.
Porte is expected to lead his Sky team in the Giro, getting the chance to push for a Grand Tour title himself, then will dedicate himself to backing this year’s winner Chris Froome in the Tour de France.
While riders such as Cadel Evans, Alberto Contador and others have been weaker in the second race after riding very strong in past editions of the Giro, Porte appears confident that he will be in good shape for the July event.
“Obviously the big goal for me next year is the Giro. I haven't really sat down and talked to the team about it but I think it's the next step for me,” he said, according to AFP.
“They want to develop me into a Grand Tour racer and that's hopefully going to be my first big opportunity to lead a team. I'd like to start the Tour Down Under, then Paris-Nice, I'd like to go back and defend that too.
“But come July I want to be there in England for the start [of the Tour – ed.]. I do think I can do a good Giro and come out and be good in the mountains and help Chris [Froome] there."
Porte showed his class in the 2010 Giro d’Italia when he led early on, thanks to infiltrating a break which gained considerable time on the peloton. He rode strongly in the mountains and while he slipped out of the Maglia Rosa, he finished up seventh overall and won the best young rider competition.
The 28 year old moved to Sky prior to the 2012 season and rode well there last year, taking a stage win plus the overall victory in the Volta ao Algarve. This season was a step up again, with the Australian winning two stages plus the overall in Paris-Nice, then netting a stage plus second overall in both Critérium International and the Vuelta al Paris Vasco.
He was also runner-up in the Critérium du Dauphiné, helping Chris Froome to victory there.
He went on to ride the Tour de France and again assisted Froome, helping him to overall victory.
Given that the Briton will almost certainly lead the team in the next few Tours, Porte knows that he would likely have to move to a different team to be able to be leader for that race. For now, though, he appears to be content with Team Sky.
“I've signed for two more years in Sky. I've just had the best season of my life, it's the team that's the top for GC riding, it's where I learnt how to ride,” he said.
“Who knows what the future's going to hold but for now I'm really excited for those two more years.”