While Porte leads his Trek-Segafredo team in the Critérium du Dauphiné in France, Bowden is in the Team BridgeLane squad contesting a six-day tour in Hungary.

Porte, 34, of Launceston, finished in the main bunch in the 177-kilometre third stage from Le Puy-en-Velay to Riom before an individual time trial and a few Alps are set to shake up the standings.

Bowden, 24, finished the 4km prologue of the Tour de Hongrie in Sifok in 37^th ahead of five stages finishing over the weekend.

Hungary is the fifth country he has raced in this year after gracing New Zealand, Taiwan and Japan following his sixth-place finish at the national road championships in Ballarat.

Bowden is in a seven-strong team that also includes 2017 Tour of Tasmania winner Lionel Mawditt.

Bowden's regular Hobart training partner Nathan Earle has made a tentative return to the saddle.

The 31-year-old has been out of action since breaking his leg in an accident during the Gran Premio Miguel Indurain in Spain in April.

Earle, who rides for the Israel Cycling Academy, posted a modest 32km ride near his Glenorchy home on social media which he titled "Creeping but good to be on the road again."

Earle said he was grateful to be able to recover at home with his wife and daughter, adding: "I've been working so hard with rehab to be back strong. I've done it before & I'll do it again. Can't wait to crush the second half of the season."

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