Richie Porte Extends Contract with Team Sky Pro Cycling
Two further second places at the Criterium International and Vuelta al Pais Vasco both included stage victories and signaled a rider growing in confidence and embracing the role of a team leader. 28-year-old Porte possesses the ability to climb and time trial with the very best riders in the professional road cycling. The Sky team is, therefore, hoping to further develop Porte into a prime candidate for leadership in future editions of Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana.
Porte joined Team Sky at the start of the 2012 season and played an integral part in an historic campaign that included sustained stage race success and victory at the Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins.
Some analysts expect the current battle between Bradley Wiggins and teammate Chris Froome to end with one of them leaving Team Sky. Should this scenario materialize, Porte will be ready to take over as team leader in the Grand Tours.
Commenting on his contract extension, Porte told Roadcycling.com "I'm really happy at Team Sky and this was always the best scenario for me. I've had a great two years with the team and I feel at home here."
"There was interest from other teams, but ... guys like Tim Kerrison have helped me become a better rider and I know I can improve further working with the performance team we have here."
"With this new contract comes added responsibility, and while I'm more than happy to help guys like Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins in the future, I'd love to lead the squad in a Grand Tour next season."
Team Sky Principal Dave Brailsford said "Richie (Porte) has been a key part this team’s stage race success since he arrived here and this new contract is a statement of intent for both him and the team. Every time he has taken on a leadership role he has excelled. We saw at Paris-Nice exactly what Richie is capable of and there is no doubt that there is a lot more to come from him."
"If he maintains his current trajectory there is no reason why he can’t go in to a Grand Tour and challenge for victory."
Richie Porte and the rest of Team Sky Pro Cycling are using the premium version of the RoadCycling.com training tracker software to track and plan their training. Want the same advantage as Richie Porte, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and co? Sign up for the premium version here. By signing up you'll also be able to sign in to your training tracker and access your training data from all pages right here on RoadCycling.com. Why make it difficult when it can be this easy?
