Richie Porte may lie sixth overall, but he is fast emerging as the second strongest rider in the Tour de France and, though it's hard to argue that Chris Froome's yellow jersey is under any real threat, the Australian is the rider who everyone's starting to look at.
"Richie looks like the one with the most to gain in these next stages. If he continues the way he is I think we'll see him on the podium in Paris," said Froome after winning the uphill stage 18 time trial in Megève, where Porte closed the gap to the podium to 44 seconds.
Porte, who dropped everyone but Froome on Wednesday's summit finish at the Emosson dam, was the name that sprang straight to the mind of Adam Yates as well, the young Brit's third place now very much under threat.
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"In my opinion Richie Porte is the most dangerous – he looks like the strongest climber in this race other than Froome," said Yates, overlooking two-time Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana, who's currently fourth but struggling physically.
Porte made up 50 seconds worth of ground on Yates over the 17-kilometre time trial course, finishing fourth on the stage but earning the 'Prix Bernard Hinault' by virtue of setting the quickest time at the top of the steep Col de Domancy after 7km – a tribute to the Frenchman's World Championships victory in 1980.
"Such a hard TT," Porte, still panting, told a huddle of reporters after crossing the line. "I don't think I got everything I had out. A little bit disappointed."
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- Froome edges closer to Tour de France title with time trial victory
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