LAUNCESTON’S Richie Porte heads into his fifth Tour de France this week in his now-familiar role as Team Sky’s Plan B to former winner Chris Froome.
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As expected, the Kenyan-born Brit, who came second to teammate Brad Wiggins in 2012 and first a year later, will lead the powerhouse outfit, but his Tasmanian training partner could again step into his shoes if the team’s plans are derailed.
Froome’s title defence last year was cut short by a series of accidents on the cobbles of Northern Europe and although Porte was sitting comfortably on general classification when he assumed team leadership, he dropped off the pace after falling ill in the mountains.
As reported in The Examiner a week ago, Porte will again join Froome for Saturday’s Grand Depart in the Dutch city of Utrecht, and as one of three 30-year-olds is the second oldest member of the nine-man Sky team.
Announcing the team, which also includes Brits Geraint Thomas, Pete Kennaugh, Ian Stannard and Luke Rowe, plus Czech Leopold König, Ireland’s Nicholas Roche and Dutchman Wout Poels, Sky predicted Porte will again prove invaluable when the 3360-kilometre three-week grand tour hits the Pyrenees and Alps.
‘‘One of the finest and most feared climbers in the peloton, the Tasmanian began the year in scintillating form, winning Paris-Nice, Volta a Catalunya and the Giro del Trentino back to back,’’ the statement said.
‘‘Disappointment followed in May at the Giro d’Italia, as he was forced to withdraw from the race due to injury. Now back to full fitness Porte will be raring to go.’’
Porte led Sky’s team in the Giro last month and was sitting third when a catalogue of misfortune struck, including a crash and controversial time penalty for accepting a rival rider’s wheel change.
He has not raced since withdrawing on the Giro’s second rest day.
Froome said the team is counting down the days to the start.
‘‘We can’t wait to get started and we are up for the challenge ahead,’’ he said.
‘‘Last year’s disappointment is this year’s motivation for Team Sky. From the moment I crashed out in 2014 I’ve had the burning desire to get back to this year’s Tour in the best possible shape.
‘‘I’m ready and I’m fortunate to have a strong team around me selected to meet the many different challenges of this year’s race – from the cobbles to the climbs.’’
American veteran Danny Pate, plus Sergio Henao, Vasili Kiryienka and Spanish climbers Mikel Nieve and David Lopéz were notable omissions from the team.
Confirmation of Porte’s Tour inclusion was warmly welcomed in his home state where Cycling Tasmania executive officer Collin Burns said: ‘‘Let’s hope Richie rides down the Champs Elysees in his third winning Tour de France team.’’
