Chris Froome backs Richie Porte for Tour de France podium position
Richie Porte can still make it to the final podium of the 2016 Tour de France, says former Sky team-mate Chris Froome
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Sky's Chris Froome backs his former team-mate Richie Porte to finish on the Tour de France podium in Paris on Sunday after two impressive days in the Alps, including fourth best in Thursday's time trial to Megève.
Porte, now with BMC Racing, put time on most of his rivals for the podium spot behind Froome in the 17-kilometre mountain time trial. He slipped to five minutes behind Froome, but moved within 1-08 minutes of Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) in second and 44 seconds of Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) in third.
"Richie Porte did a good time trial today, strong, and yesterday he was the only one to make the race," Froome said after putting on a new yellow jersey.
>>> Five talking points from stage 18 of the Tour de France
"He looks like the one with the most to gain over the next couple of stages. Obviously, he had some bad luck in the early stage [with a puncture], it's a shame, but if he continues in this way, he'll see himself on the podium in Paris."
Porte lost 1-45 minutes due to a puncture in the second stage of the Tour, but improved since. Yesterday to the Finhaut-Emosson summit finish, he was the only one of the stars to make a significant attack.
Today, the 31-year-old Australian clocked 31-16 minutes, just a fraction of a second slower than Fabio Aru (Astana) on the same time. Froome won the stage ahead of Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin).
"Today was a good performance, it's just hard to think about the second stage and the time I threw away there," Porte said behind the podium.
"I had a good time trial. I showed that I'm climbing well. We did the recon on it, I knew it was a hard stage and it suited me.
"I took some more time out of some of the other GC guys. The next two days will be a big battle. I'm looking forward to taking my chance and fighting for the podium."
The next two days in the Alps are the final two testing days in the 2016 Tour before the flat stage into Paris. The 19th stage on Friday finishes with a climb up to Le Bettex below Mont Blanc. On Saturday, the stage covers the Joux Plane and descends to Morzine.
The Tour should see a good fight with only 1-08 minutes between second and sixth place.
"The podium is just so tight, other teams can't let other GC guys go either. I need to look at later tonight with the sports directors to see where we can peg some time back," added Porte.
"I'm confident for the next two days and the big mountains, hopefully I'll have space to take more time out of the big GC guys.
"I just want to have the days [to do it]. It's no secret I want that podium and I'm prepared to fight."
Thank you for reading 10 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.
-
-
20 year-old sprints to clean sweep at British Track Champs
Emma Finucane wins two titles on the closing day of the championships
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Marius Mayrhofer pulls off surprise win at Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
DSM rider breaks down with emotion after he crosses the finish line
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Chris Froome out of Tour de France after positive Covid-19 test result
Four-time winner and third on Alpe d’Huez stage forced to abandon on stage 18
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I’m going to keep pushing. I don’t know what my limits are': Chris Froome climbs to best result since 2018
Israel-Premier Tech rider finished third on stage 12 of the Tour de France to Alpe d'Huez
By Adam Becket • Published
-
La Planche des Belles Filles: will today's Tour de France climb be make or break?
Primož Roglič may be looking to salvage his Tour de France by exorcising his 2020 demons on the brutal climb
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
'I'm trying to get back to my old self again' — Chris Froome achieves his best result since 2019 horror crash
Chris Froome finished 11th at the Mercan Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes on Tuesday, his best result for almost three years
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Richie Porte forced to abandon Giro d'Italia with illness
Ineos Grenadiers lose key domestique on stage 19
By Adam Becket • Published