Richie Porte, the rider who was arguably the biggest discovery of 2010, has been confirmed as leading the Saxo Bank SunGard team at next month’s Santos Tour Down Under.
The 25 year old Australian talent will therefore have the chance to begin his season on home soil, riding the UCI World Tour event against some other very strong riders.
Porte had a superb debut season with Team Saxo Bank, taking an unexpected time trial win in the Tour de Romandie, followed up by a spell in the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d’Italia, victory in the best young rider classification and seventh overall in the race.
Later in the season, his results included second in the time trial in the Tour of Denmark, fourth in the TT and overall in the Eneco Tour, fourth overall in the Tour of Britain and fourth in the world time trial championships.
His time trial and climbing abilities have led to predictions that he could have a very bright future in Grand Tour races.
“Porte has come a long way since he competed at our race in 2008 with the UniSA-Australian national team,” said Santos Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur.
“When he turned professional in 2010, Porte had an exceptional start to his professional career, leading the Giro d’Italia for three days and capturing the Maglia Rosa leader’s jersey. For Porte to win the young rider classification and to lead the Giro d’Italia for three stages is an exceptional achievement in a Grand Tour, especially in his debut year as a professional.
“He’s a huge talent and could be Australia’s next big hope for the Grand Tours after Cadel Evans retires.”
The rider was understood to have been of interest to Team Sky and Pegasus Sports, but was contracted to Saxo Bank – SunGard for 2011 and will remain there. With the current uncertainty over Alberto Contador, Porte and team-mate Chris Anker Sorensen could share leadership duties at the Tour de France, although that is a long way away and the Contador case is yet to be resolved.
What’s certain is that the rider will get a lot of opportunities in 2011, and should continue his rapid progress.
He will be joined by compatriots Baden Cooke and David Tanner in the early-season Australian event, with the former sharing sprinting duties with Juan Jose Haedo. The team is completed by Haedo’s brother Sebastian, Brian Vandborg (Denmark) and Tour de France/Vuelta a España stage winner Nicki Sorensen.
Turtur expects good things from the team, and knows they will add to the race. “Both Cooke and Haedo are great sprinters and their presence adds to the strongest field of sprinters ever assembled at the Santos Tour Down Under,” he said. “Saxo Bank SunGard is coming to Adelaide with a very strong team and some great sprinters and they are obviously hoping to have a successful start to their WorldTour season.”
The World Tour race runs from January 16 – 23. Others confirmed for the event are fifteen-times Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad), Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream), defending champoin André Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Gerald Ciolek and Francesco Chicchi (Quick Step), Allan Davis (Astana), world under 23 champion Michael Matthews (Rabobank) and Lance Armstrong (Team RadioShack).
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Saxo Bank SunGard team for 2011 Santos Tour Down Under:
Richie Porte (AUS)
David Tanner (AUS)
Brian Vandborg (DEN)
Juan Jose Haedo (ARG)
Sebastian Haedo (ARG)
Nicki Sorensen (DEN)
Baden Cooke (AUS)
Directeur sportif:
Bradley McGee (AUS)