Sky’s the limit for Richie Porte, says Tour de France winner Chris Froome

TEAM Sky leader Chris Froome has no doubt Richie Porte has the potential to win a Grand Tour, and believes it will be sooner rather than later.

2013 Tour de France champion Chris Froome & Tasmanian Richie Porte ride through Launceston's City Park.

TEAM Sky leader Chris Froome has no doubt his chief lieutenant Richie Porte has the potential to win a Grand Tour, and believes it will be sooner rather than later.

The 2013 Tour de France champion touched down in Launceston yesterday ahead of his highly anticipated appearance at tomorrow’s Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic, which is expected to draw a crowd of more than 20,000.

Porte played a key role in lifting Froome to last year’s title, while he was also the right-hand man for Brad Wiggins when he conquered the greatest cycling event on the planet in 2012.

However Porte yearns for his own success as team leader and is steeling himself for next year’s Giro d’Italia – the race where he announced himself on the world stage in 2010.

Froome, who crashed out of this year’s Tour de France – fracturing his left wrist on stage four – knows his good friend has all the tools to survive the gruelling three weeks a Grand Tour throws at riders.

After 12 stages of this year’s showpiece Porte was sitting second overall in the general classification, having navigated his way through the dangerous cobblestone stages as the mountains loomed.

Unfortunately he was then struck down by a chest infection which sapped him of the energy required for the climbs.

“I don’t know what Richie’s plans are just yet for next year but I’m sure the Grand Tours are going to be the main focus,” Froome said.

“He had a great opportunity this year but unfortunately he got sick during the tour, I mean he was sitting second on GC [general classification] at one point there.

“He has got the ability to do it, he helped me win the Tour that I won, he helped Bradley win the Tour he won the year before.

“He has played a huge part in both those Tours.

“I definitely think he has the potential to go all the way himself, it is just a matter of time.

“If you look at most cyclists, they do come into their prime around this kind of time, late 20s, early 30s.

“I definitely think the best is still to come.”

Froome and Porte take a gentle ride.

Froome will spend a couple of weeks in Tasmania after tomorrow’s Launceston Criterium, with Porte eager to show off some of the best training terrain the state can offer.

The two went through Porte’s hometown of Hadspen yesterday, with the East Coast and a trip up Mt Wellington high on the agenda.

“I think ever since I got to know Richie I’ve wanted to come down here, he has always said it is a fantastic place for training in the off season,” Froome said.

“Normally his form in January and February speaks for itself, he normally comes over and is flying that time of year.

“I could see today just on the small loop we did, just three hours, that you guys really do have some amazing roads out here.

“I have wanted to come out here for a while ... I had always heard Tassie is a lot more relaxed, a lot more laid back and I think it definitely does live up to that.”