Having taken a very close second place to Alberto Contador in the time trial at the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon, and ridden well in support of his Saxo Bank SunGard team-mate in the rest of the race, Richie Porte has said that he is pleased with his current level of form.
The Australian finished 58th overall but that placing is deceptive, given that he sacrificed his chances for Contador. The Spaniard was attempting to defend his title, but had to be content with 24th overall after puncturing at a crucial moment near to the end of the stage to Laguna de los Peces.
Porte said that he emerges from the race pleased with how things went for him. “I’ve just finished the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon, and felt that things went pretty well in the race,” he said in his latest VeloNation blog. “On Friday I rode to help Alberto [Contador] on the big mountain stage. I am happy with how my form is coming along, and while it was a hard day, I was pleased to be in a position to help him. Unfortunately we couldn't finish it off as he had a puncture right near the end, but I guess that’s cycling.
“Saturday’s result, second in the TT just behind Alberto, does give me confidence in my time trialling, while on yesterday’s final stage I was clear early on in a break. All things together, it shows the form is definitely on the up and up. I have had a solid block of good racing with this and Pais Vasco so I really hope my climbing is also improving.”
Contador will now travel to Belgium to try to win Flèche Wallonne, while Porte heads elsewhere and takes a break. Last year he rode the Tour of Romandie and the Giro d’Italia; this year, he will once again head to Romandie, but will then aim for a good result in the Tour of California. Given the upward curve of his form, it seems realistic to think that he will be prominent in both events.
Click here to read Richie' Porte's latest blog: