RICHIE MOUNTS TOUR CHALLENGE

TASMANIAN cyclist Richie Porte was last night poised to grab victory in the Tour de Suisse. Porte is building nicely towards the Tour de France, where last year he had a horrific crash while in contention.

AUSTRALIAN cyclist Richie Porte is exactly where he wants to be 20 days out from the Tour de France as he prepares to return to the race that left him with a broken pelvis and collarbone last year.

The 33-year-old Tasmanian was poised to win the Tour de Suisse overnight after taking a 17-second lead into the final-stage 34km time trial from Colombian Nairo Quintana and 52-second lead over Dutchman Wilco Kelderman.

His most impressive showing last week was on the summit finish to Stage 6 when he dropped Quintana in the final 2km, but the Colombian star hit back and turned the tables the following day on Stage 7.

That Porte is back to full health and fitness is one thing after last year’s horrendous crash on a descent at the Tour de France.

But that he is also returning as a genuine challenger for the yellow jersey is another.

He has taken a different route to this year’s race, skipping Paris-Nice, which he has won twice, and riding the Tour de Suisse instead of the Criterium du Dauphine that was won by former Sky teammate Geraint Thomas.

“For me, after having my crash last year, I think I had a good Santos Tour Down Under but the season has not been so super since,” Porte said at the weekend.

“So to be here and to be time trialling for the win on the last day of the Tour de Suisse is a dream come true.”

“I am just happy to be back racing and to have good form.”

The Tour de France starts on July 7. While Porte will be aiming for the yellow jersey with BMC, another Aussie is set to make his mark, with Mitchelton-Scott’s Caleb Ewan targeting a stage win on debut at the age of 23.