Porte likely to switch cycling teams

Australian cycling star Richie Porte is one of the biggest names in this year's transfer market and he has confirmed a likely move from Sky.

Australian rider Richie Porte of Team Sky

Australian cycling star Richie Porte looks set to leave Team Sky. (AAP)

Australian cycling star Richie Porte looks set to leave Team Sky and pursue his dreams of Grand Tour success elsewhere.

The 30-year-old, in the last year of his contract with the British super team, said management is aware he is fielding offers.

After four years at Sky, he looms as one of the biggest names in this year's transfer market.

Far from being crushed by his bitter disappointment at this year's Giro d'Italia, Porte remains determined to achieve a big result in one of the three-week Grand Tours - the Giro, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.

Porte is in Sky's team for the Tour de France starting this Saturday, but as a key domestique for his good friend Chris Froome, one of the main race favourites.

The Tasmanian is likely to know the outcome of contract negotiations during the Tour, which is a key period for teams as they decide on rider signings for the next season.

"I'm very confident - I have a few really good offers in great teams," Porte told AAP.

"You don't take it lightly, leaving a team like Sky.

"In a lot of ways, it's the best team for Grand Tour racing, but I need to think about my future."

Porte knows that if he stays at Sky, he will have minimal chances to lead a Grand Tour outfit.

But if he goes elsewhere, there will be much more opportunity.

And at 30, he is coming into the sweet spot of his career as a Grand Tour rider.

"In any other team, bar three or four, I would actually be the Tour leader," he said.

"But that's certainly something I'm really looking at now."

Porte has proven himself at Sky in the Tour de France as a domestique, or helper.

He played crucial roles when Brad Wiggins won the 2012 Tour and Froome took the title the following year.

Two months ago, Porte led Sky at the Giro after starting the season with outstanding form.

But after a strong start to the Italian classic, Porte's race fell apart following a controversial two-minute penalty for accepting a replacement wheel from compatriot and Orica-GreenEDGE rider Simon Clarke.

Porte eventually abandoned the race because of injuries from a crash.

"I've won enough of these one-week stage races - I do have the ability to do it," he said.

"I do have opportunities to go and try my luck in another team.

"The next couple of years, I'm going to be as strong as I physically can be.

"Obviously my job is to get this Tour done, but then that's certainly something I'm looking at."


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Source: AAP


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