Leopold Konig steps up as Team Sky leader after Porte quits Giro d'Italia
As Richie Porte withdraws from the Giro d'Italia due to injury, Czech rider Leopold Konig is given Team Sky leadership in tough final week
In the snow-capped Dolomite mountains this weekend, Sky gave Giro d'Italia leadership responsibilities to new signing Leopold König. The Czech rider, seventh last year in the Tour de France, sits fifth overall in the Giro, but feels 'gutted' for team-mate Richie Porte, who quit the race due to injuries.
Despite being a heavy favourite to win the overall, Porte crashed, banged his knee and hip, and lost time to leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo). He abandoned during today's rest day and travelled home from the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort.
"I'm gutted for him, he been great this year, he's been constant during the season, and if you look at my results, I was a pretty s**t rider and maybe Dave [Brailsford] thought it wasn't the best signing!" König said when he arrived at the summit finish yesterday at 1715 metres.
>>> Richie Porte quits Giro d'Italia
"I'm sorry for him because we've seen that those guys in Sky who won races from the beginning won Grand Tours, as well. With Richie that wasn't the case. He really deserved the leadership, deserved to be up there."
Sky changed plans sometime after Porte crashed on his left side on the slick roads to Jesolo on Friday. The incident left him disadvantaged for the following day's time trial and summit finishes in the Alps. Porte lost 4-16 minutes on Saturday and on Sunday, was still on the road when König spoke to reporters at the Madonna di Campiglio finish line.
"The team mentioned that I should be prepared. It's like, 'Leo, you have the full responsibility of team Sky, but no pressure!' ha ha!" König said.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"The situation is how you can see, my priority is different now, we will try to go for the GC with myself, try to win the red points GC [with Elia Viviani] and win stages."
König also crashed in Jesolo and lost 1-57 minutes in the overall fight. After placing seventh yesterday, he sits fifth at 6-36 minutes.
>>> New recruit Leopold König “still adapting” to Team Sky switch
"I could be on the podium maybe or fourth. I just hope those two stupid minutes won't make a difference in Milan.
"I was born a three-week rider, I'm used to it. I have opportunities, I'm quite consistent. After the rest day, I'll recover a bit. I'm looking forward to the last week."
Riding for German team NetApp, König won a stage in the 2013 Vuelta a España and finished 14-32 minutes behind Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) in the 2014 Tour de France.
Sky snapped up the 27-year-old over the winter to boost its GC team. Given Porte’s problems in the Giro, it proved to be a smart move to hire König.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I can help get the team back to where it was' - 20-year-old Artem Shmidt looks to the future after Ineos Grenadiers' disappointing season
Shmidt hoping to help revitalise team backed by Jim Ratcliffe after season of woes and as star rider Tom Pidcock gets set to move on
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don’t think the people around Tom help' - Geraint Thomas on the Tom Pidcock and Ineos Grenadiers situation
Pidcock was "deselected" from Il Lombardia on Saturday, with the rider taking to Instagram to discuss decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'deselected' from Ineos Grenadiers squad for Il Lombardia
British rider says 'I guess off season starts early' in Instagram post
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers have had their worst season ever, and the woes appear not to be over. What’s next for the super-team of a bygone era?
With Tom Pidcock possibly off to Q36.5 and Luke Rowe leaving, the news is not quiet around the British WorldTour squad
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel puts transfer speculation to bed ahead of World Championships road race
'I'll stay where I am' says Double Olympic champion as he confirms he will remain at Soudal Quick-Step next season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Dan Bigham becomes Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
After winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Bigham then left his role at Ineos due to his frustrations with the setup currently in place at the team
By Tom Thewlis Published