Richie Porte (Sky)
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Australian signs anti-doping pledge
Despite a successful season on the road for him and his team, Richie Porte (Team Sky), knows all too well that the subject of doping has dominated the headlines in recent weeks. The fallout from Lance Armstrong’s USADA case has affected almost every professional team, with Sky no exception, but away from the controversy the Australian is also looking forward to having opportunities for himself in 2013.
“Personally it was a brilliant year. I started well, wining Algarve, and then I slotted into that team which ultimately won the Tour. What more can you, it was just incredible,” Porte told Cyclingnews.
Porte was a key member of Sky’s Tour squad. Wiggins and a select number of teammates rode almost identical race programmes in the build up to the Tour and picked up wins in Algarve, Paris-Nice, Dauphine before July’s major triumph.
“People were questioning Bradley’s form the whole year but at the end of the day Sky has a pretty good sports science background and we were all sure of where we were. Personally I wasn’t in peak form, my best form was probably in February but we went to the Tour with a clear plan and executed it like clockwork.”
It’s as yet unclear whether Wiggins will defend his Tour title or target the Giro d’Italia in 2013 but Porte’s desire is to ride as part of Wiggin’s team, whatever the final programme.
“Whatever Grand tour Bradley is focusing on I think I should be there with him. Also I’m going to have my own opportunities to ride for myself. You learn a lot riding with guys like Bradley and Mick Rogers but I’d like to have some of the pressure too.”
“I’ve not seen the route but for the Tour yet but I know that Brad isn’t hell bent on total domination at the Tour. I know he wants to have a go at other races as well. It’s a nice dilemma to have, having Chris Froome and Brad in the same team.”
Sky’s post-season debrief
Porte competes in Sunday’s Chrono des Nations, having recently attended Team Sky’s season debriefing in London, England. The event was supposed to be a look back at the team’s success in 2012 but it was dominated by the need
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