Rich Porte, who emerged in the Giro d’Italia as the next Australian cycling star, says his form leading into his first world road championships could propel him into the top five of the elite men’s time trial on Thursday.
“I do have the best form of my life,” Porte said at an Australian team media conference in Geelong on Wednesday.
“The Tour of Britain maybe, in some ways, was a better preparation than the Vuelta (Tour of Spain).”
“Certainly if I carry that form through to tomorrow, I think I can be up at the pointy end and have a good crack at the top five.”
The 25-year-old emerged on the professional stage this year after he won the young rider classification at the Giro d’Italia and finished seventh overall in his first grand tour.
His roommate at the Championships is triple world time trial champion, Michael Rogers (AUS), whom Porte said he has admired over the years.
“There are not many guys who do the business better than him,” he said.
Cycling Australia pro rider liaison, Neil Stephens, said Rogers and Porte were both capable of finishing in the top ten, and possibly higher, on Thursday.
“Realistically, at least one of these can run top five,” Stephens said. “If you can hope for a top five, then you can dream for a medal.”
Photo : BestKevin
