Australian star Richie Porte is eyeing a possible return in the Vuelta a Espana to salvage his season after crashing out of the Tour de France with a fractured collarbone.
The 33-year-old says he expects to be back turning his legs over on a home trainer within the next week and is already turning attention to the year's final grand tour, which starts in five and a half weeks, and the world road cycling titles which follow.
"The Vuelta is probably a realistic goal, and also the world championships (September 22-30)," said Porte a day after his crash left his season's plans in tatters.
"It's nice to be motivated to still race. It's obviously so disappointing to be sat here with my arm in a purple sling, but there are some nice races to finish up the season."
Having built his season around the goal of winning the Tour de France, the Tasmanian was left in tears on the side of the road after crashing out in stage 9 for a second consecutive year.
"It's not the way we wanted it to end, the same as last year. It's obviously painful physically and mentally, but it is what it is," Porte said.
"I don't remember anything other than just being on the ground."
Porte, who is rumoured to be leaving his team BMC Racing for Trek-Segafredo, said he knew he had broken his collarbone but was still unprepared for the confirmation.
"The first race doctor that came and saw me said to me: 'yeah, you've done your collarbone, you need to get in the ambulance'," he said.
"It was a bit of a shock and then you realise all the hard work you've done to get to that point. It was pretty overwhelming.
"In hospital a lot of thoughts go through your head, but to be honest I think once I get home and I'm not in a race environment it will all sink in."
