JUST six weeks out from what could be the biggest race of his life, Launceston cyclist Richie Porte has taken the lead of another major European bike race.
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The 30-year-old assumed top spot in Spain’s Volta a Catalunya following a dramatic fifth stage yesterday.
It continues a superb season for Porte who has already won the Australian time trial title, his second Paris-Nice crown and numerous individual tour stages.
Sitting second heading into the fifth of seven stages, Porte overhauled the 21-second advantage of stage1 escapee Bart De Clercq (Lotto Soudal) to establish his own five-second lead.
In the final 50 kilometres of the stage into Valls, Porte found himself in a select front group from which Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) launched the winning attack. Porte finished fourth, narrowly missing out on bonus seconds.
The race is another key lead-up to the Giro d’Italia where Porte will lead Team Sky.
He retains a fond affection for the first Grand Tour of the season, having led the race in 2010 when he also won the young rider classification.
Training partner and 2013 Tour de France champion Chris Froome played a team role supporting Porte in the stage and later tweeted: ‘‘Great to see perseverance & hard work paying off for @richie—porte!! #flying #VoltaCatalunya.’’
Team Sky added: ‘‘With Richie now in the leader’s jersey, he is fully focused on riding hard for the Tasmanian for the last two stages.’’
