The 34-year-old Launceston rider toiled through a torrid 133.5-kilometre stage into Pipay of the Criterium du Dauphine to finish 14^th (46 seconds behind the winner) and sit 12^th overall, 1:38 off the lead with one stage remaining.

"It's been a tough week and to cap it off the queen stage was brutal," said Porte, who is leading Trek-Segafredo at both the Tour and it's traditional lead-in race.

"It was a hard start, we had a couple of guys in the breakaway and we were in a good position at the bottom of the climb, then on a hairy descent and then there was a 19km climb.

"I would have liked to be further up but the Tour starts in three weeks and I think we're in a good position."

Porte's teammate and fellow Tasmanian Will Clarke is in action further north at the five-stage Tour of Belgium.

The Campbell Town 34 year old's best result was 21^st in the individual time trial in Grimbergen and he sits 114^th with one stage to go.

Clarke was among riders praised on the team website after Trek achieved their Giro d'Italia goals of a top-five finish (through Bauke Mollema) and stage win to Giulio Ciccone.

"From the unsung heroes (Markel Irizar, Will Clarke, Michael Gogl) ... the entire team played an integral part of one of the most successful Grand Tours for Trek-Segafredo," it said.

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