Froom Might Zoom But Porte Holds The Fort: But For How Long?

 

Chris Froome's tearaway win up the La Pierre-Saint-Martin yesterday would have been enough to break the spirit of each of his adversaries, who before the French Tour began would have held high hopes of winning. Already almost three minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Tejay Van Garderen from BMC Racing, it's just a matter of him staying upright on the bike for Froome to still be wearing the maillot jaune by the time the race reaches Paris. Who knows how far the rider from Team Sky will be ahead after another six mountain stages are played out?  

 

Although finishing 59 seconds behind his teammate, one could argue that Richie Porte's performance up the climb was just as impressive. A loyal lieutenant, he set the pace early, providing the springboard for the Englishman to attack. Somehow, instead of falling back in the pack as most cyclists who by now, are all but spent often do, he found his legs and left last year’s Giro d’Italia winner Rojas Quintana, in his tracks.

 

Aged 30, it’s no wonder Richie Porte is keen to join another team, like BMC Racing, to ply his trade as the leading rider. Just perhaps, it might not be long before we Australians are applauding our second Tour de France winner.