Richie Porte (Sky) swept to win the stage two time trial and take the lead in the Criterium International in Corsica on Saturday afternoon.
Paris-Nice winner Porte is enjoying a good run of form to win his second major time trial of the season. The Tasmanian beat Manuele Boaro (Saxo-Tinkoff) and Tejay Van Garderen (BMC Racing) by just one second to take the victory over the seven-kilometre TT.
Porte’s Sky team-mate and Tour de France hope Chris Froome placed fourth at two seconds. Last year’s Criterium International winner Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) was well off the pace, finishing 74th at 45 seconds.
The morning’s short 89km opening road race stage was won by Theo Bos (Blanco), whose spell in the yellow jersey is one of the most short-lived in the sport thanks to the day’s double stage format.
The race concludes on Sunday with a tough 176-kilometre stage that features six climbs, culminating in a mountain-top finish on Col de l’Ospedale – a 14.1km climb with an average gradient of six per cent.
Richie Porte adds to his collection of cuddly lions
Porte on his way to winning the time trial
Theo Bos won the morning’s opening road stage
Last year’s Criterium International winner Cadel Evans
Andy Schleck poses with some young fans before the start
