FORM GUIDE

Porte won Romandie, but what does it mean for the Tour?

The Tour de Romandie used to be the final tune-up for the Giro, but these days it functions more as a runereading exercise for the Tour de France. On the surface, it was as straightforward as a race with a mountain stage and a time trial would be expected to be: Simon Yates beat Richie Porte at the summit finish in Leysen, with most of their rivals well behind. In the TT, Porte returned the favour, and took the GC ahead of the Brit. Primo Roglic, winner of the TT, was third overall.

What was interesting about these three riders is that none were on the Giro start list: all will ride the Tour. The highest rider on GC who was going to Italy was Tejay Van Garderen in sixth. For Porte, it was yet another victory in a week-long stage race, his second this year, and the result puts him at the top of the Tour’s form table. He’s not the favourite, but he’s going to be up there. Further down the field, Chris Froome’s form was enigmatic. The British rider has ridden Romandie every year since 2011, and it’s a key part of his build-up to July. Between 2013 and 2015 he finished on the podium every year, but last season and this, his results have been less sparkling. 18th place overall in Romandie is not the form of a Tour winner. Then again, last year he was 38th, and still won the Tour. Either way, he, Porte and Yates are looking like three of the most convincing favourites for July.