Rival Australian comes to Richie Porte's rescue in Giro d'Italia
Orica-GreenEdge's Simon Clarke gave his compatriot a front wheel after he puncture in the finale to stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia
Team Sky's Richie Porte was saved by Simon Clarke when he punctured in the final kilometers of stage 10, despite his fellow Australian riding for another team.
When Orica-GreenEdge's Clarke saw his Antipodean friend at the side of the road with a mechanical problem, he stopped and put his front wheel in Porte's bike.
Porte afterwards had four Sky team-mates to help him return, but lost around 47 seconds to rivals, including leader Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo).
>>> Five talking points from stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia
"He's just another Aussie, mate," Clarke told Cycling Weekly afterwards. "He punctured and obviously needed a hand. It was one of those split seconds where it could have cost him the Giro."
"It's a unique situation, it's not like we have someone on GC," Clarke added
"All of Aussies get along well, it's not like I was colluding with a team we are trying to race against. I'm just trying to help out a friend. Right when he stopped, he had no one. I was right there and about to sit up and roll in."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Porte pucturend his front wheel and when the TV images showed him, he had around four teammates helping to save his Giro d'Italia position.
After the time loss, he sits fourth behind Contador by 1-09.
Asked what he thought about critics raising questions about him helping a rival team, Clarke added, "I was just helping out a mate."
"It didn't take away from [Clarke's] teammates," sports director, Dario Cioni said outside Sky's bus in Forlì.
"We benefited, but sometimes you are also colleagues and there's respect. It's nice to see that. A lot of people think on the bike that people fight with each other...When you are going for results, maybe, but at times friendship is stronger than a team at times.
"It was a nice gesture. It probably helped him lose less time. Cycling is a big wheel, so there will be a day when Richie will help him back."
Porte mentioned Clarke, but did not explain directly what happened. Reporters were unaware of what happened at the time.
"45 seconds... We've been fighting for one or two seconds, then you have a little bit of bad luck," Porte told reporters after warming down.
"You have a long way to go. It was nice to see my team stop and help me, and Simon Clarke and Michael Matthews, good mates helping me as well. It's not over. Taking the positives out of it; the legs felt great, [and I] live to fight another day."
In three days, Porte might be able to gain that time loss back in the long 59.2km time trial from Treviso, before the Giro goes to the high Alpine passes the following week.
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.
-
I’m having to tell people I’m still a cyclist despite the fact it’s not cool anymore
Bragging rights now belong to the paddleboarders
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS review: a gravel bike of two halves?
The integrated cockpit and aero tubing are somewhat at odds with the Grail's taller stack height
By Rachel Sokal Published
-
Tom Pidcock signs for Q36.5 Pro Cycling after Ineos Grenadiers departure
Olympic MTB champion hails 'start of something special' in three-year deal
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Steve Cummings takes sports director role at Jayco AIUla after Ineos Grenadiers departure
'It’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates growth, resilience, and meaningful results' says 43-year-old after joining new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'We've had a difficult year, I've had a difficult year' - Tom Pidcock hints at Ineos Grenadiers tension
Speaking at Rouleur Live, the 25-year-old also revealed that he hasn't enjoyed racing at the last two Tours de France
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers to partner with German development team for 2025
Ineos set to partner with German Continental squad Lotto Kern-Haus PSD Bank as an official development partner
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Ineos Grenadiers, now Steve Cummings has officially left?
After the Director of Racing's exit, the Tom Pidcock saga needs a final resolution before the team can move forward
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos' Director of Racing, Steve Cummings, confirms he is leaving the team after not attending a race since June
Announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding Cummings' position
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I never thought I'd really leave the team': Luke Rowe opens up on his reasons for departing Ineos Grenadiers
Welsh road captain is heading to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale to become a sports director
By Adam Becket Published