Richie Porte thanked his teammates for the overall win at the Volta ao Algarve 2012
Richie Porte was over the moon after securing his first overall win of the season. The cyclist climbed the top podium position at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal and thanked his team for its endless efforts during the race.
The Australian told Cyclingnews that his teammate’s sweat had “made him look good” throughout the race.
He finished the five-staged race in the total time of 19 hours, 2 minutes and 43 seconds to claim his first ever win at the Volta ao Algarve.
Tony Martin and Bradley Wiggins finished 37 and 44 seconds behind to secure the second and the third spots after the final general classifications.
The 27-year-old started riding professionally with Team Praties in 2008 and spent a period of two years with the side.
He then joined Team Saxo Bank for 2010-11 seasons and helped the team with a number of victories during his stay with the Danish side.
Porte accepted an offer from David Brailsford and joined Team Sky for the 2012 season.
He is enjoying his time with the team and the win in Portugal will definitely boost his confidence for the coming races.
While commenting about the new team, he cited, “I’m in a new team and to come here and win your first race, it doesn’t get much better than that”.
He further added, “I have to give full credit to the guys here out on the road. I was just putting the icing on the cake and they made me look good to be honest”.
Richie believed that his coach Bobby Julich also played an important role in his success.
Bobby worked with the cyclist while he was with his previous side, Team Saxo Bank and the duo is united once again in Team Sky for the 2012 season.
Porte and most of Team Sky’s squad from the Volta ao Algarve will be seen at the Paris-Nice. The British side will ride around the Belgian rider Bradley Wiggins during the French race.
“It won’t be too much of a different team to this one, and we’ll go there with Bradley and it would be great to repay him for all the help he’s given me at this race,” Porte commented about the coming race.
Team Sky signed as many as eight new cyclists in its squad for the coming season and is considered as one of the strongest sides of the season.
The new signings by the team include, Richie Porte, Mark Cavendish, Bernhard Eisel, Sergio Henao, Danny Pate, Salvatore Puccio, Luke Rowe and Kanstantsin Siutsou.
It will be interesting to see, if Porte can continue his winning momentum during the 2012 edition of Paris-Nice scheduled from March 4th to 11th 2012.
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