Australian star Richie Porte to leave Team Sky for more individual glory

AUSTRALIAN cycling star Richie Porte vows to leave Team Sky in pursuit of more individual glory when his contract expires.

Chris Froome and Richie Porte cross the finish line after climbing l'Alpe d'Huez. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

RICHIE Porte has vowed to leave Team Sky in pursuit of more individual glory.

Porte only re-signed with the all-conquering team last August for another two years, but the emerging star of world cycling says he won't hesitate to quit after the deal expires.

The 28-year-old Tasmanian has made a career as a domestique deluxe, but told the Herald Sun he was relishing the prospect of more responsibility.

Porte will contest his first Grand Tour as team leader when he heads Sky at May's Giro d'Italia after a scintillating 2013 season.

"As much as I love being there and being the wingman, it's not what I always want to do," Porte said.

"I've shown by winning Paris-Nice and coming second in the Dauphine and Basque, they're pretty big races in the sport. I think the next move for me is two more years at Sky, but then I really think I need to get out and ride in a team where I'll be the leader."

Porte ruled out any chance of doing that at Sky - a British team where the likes of Chris Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins have significant footholds.

Chris Froome and Richie Porte cross the finish line after climbing l'Alpe d'Huez. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

"I think Chris Froome is the rider of this generation. I think he's going to win more than one Tour and it's unrealistic of me, in a British team, when he's got a British passport (to assume control)," he said.

"To be honest, it's going to be hard to beat Chris, but in another team who knows?

"Me personally, I think I do have the qualities to be a contender. I mean, I can climb and time trial and hold my own in the descents too. The ultimate GC rider has to be good at everything."

Porte was brilliant in the Tour de France, lighting the way for Froome with monster efforts up Ax 3 Domaines, Mont Ventoux and the double ascent of Alpe d'Huez.

Only one bad day on Stage 9 to Begneres-de-Bigorre killed off his chances of a podium finish in Paris.

"I was there in situations where it was Froome, (Alberto) Contador and Porte and I was thinking, 'Well, I need to start being a little bit more selfish next year and ride for myself'," Porte said.

"I think that's going to happen more. I'll have the opportunity to ride in the Giro and ride for myself.

"For me, the dream is to win a Grand Tour, any Grand Tour. I've been out of Australia long enough to realise there are other races other than the Tour. Looking ahead, there's not too many guys who have won a Grand Tour in their career and I guess that's always been the dream over there."