Swiss race to prime Porte for Tour test

NEW dad Richie Porte will ramp up his Tour de France preparations when he makes his Tour de Suisse debut.

The Australian cycling star will have a strong BMC team behind him when he competes in the June 9-17 race.

Porte changed his pre-Tour de France race schedule this year because his wife Gemma was pregnant with their first child. They became parents in the past few days.

Compatriot Simon Gerrans, American Tejay Van Garderen and Belgian Greg van Avermaet are also in the BMC team for the Swiss race.

“This year, with the change in calendar, the Tour de Suisse was a good fit for my Tour de France preparation and I think the nine stages will give us a good indication of my form,” Porte said.

The Tasmanian has had mixed fortunes this season in Europe, with illness two months ago interrupting his race schedule. But he finished third overall in late April at the Tour de Romandie.

“I’m feeling good and have put a few solid weeks of training in since Tour de Romandie, so I hope to continue my good results,” he said. “We definitely have one of the strongest teams, so I’m looking forward to what I’m sure will be an aggressive race, and hope to come out of it with a lot of confidence before we turn our attention to the Tour de France.”

Porte, 33, suffered serious injuries when he crashed out of last year’s Tour de France.