Richie Porte in pink and thinking of Verona

Richie Porte, Giro d'Italia 2010, stage 11

Richie Porte survived another brutal day in the 2010 Giro d'Italia to put himself in a position to become the first Australian winner of a Grand Tour. Getting in to the 60 rider break that went early in the 163 kilometre stage, the 25-year-old Tasmanian jumped into the overall lead with half the race already covered.

Porte came in to this Giro flying well below the radar of the general cycling public. He won the time trial at the Tour of Romandy last month, but as far as results go, that was it.

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