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Examiner's complete view of propertyHome/Local Sport/Local FootyTour de France podium still a chance for Richie PorteBy Rob ShawJuly 20 2016 - 3:30pmBy Rob ShawJuly 20 2016 -

3:30pmFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopy A TOUR de France podium finish is still on the cards according to Tasmanian Richie Porte.

the 31-year-old said four consecutive days in the Alps totalling nearly 500 kilometres will decide who gets to top the dais in Paris - and he said reigning champ and leader Chris Froome is

not safe yet.

Porte is quietly optimistic that he can make his move in a 17-kilometre stage 18 uphill individual time trial perfectly suited to his strengths.

“That is definitely one of the stages I will be targeting,” he said.

“It’s not too technical, just a mix of steep uphill and gradual uphill. It’s a lot like the Paris-Nice time trial up Col d’Eze which I’ve won twice (in 2013 and 2015).

“I could win it. Climbing is what I do and time trialling is what I used to do so if you put the two together it’s fair to say I’ve got a chance.”

Porte is a chance to record his best finish in his tenth grand tour.

On the final rest day he sat seventh, the same position he finished on his grand tour debut when he briefly led the 2010 Giro d’Italia.

While 4:27 behind Froome, Porte is well aware he would already be in a podium position had it not been for the untimely puncture which cost him two minutes on the second stage.

“I am still quite upbeat,” he told ESPN.

“The next four stages are all about the legs. Physically I feel great. I haven't weighed myself, I have just eaten what I have needed to eat. More than anything, the most important thing is

staying healthy.

“The Alps will be a huge chance to take time back and fight for the podium - the best I am rested, the best I can be.

“I think I have the form to do it. I know I am not the only rider believing that a podium finish in Paris is still a possibility. A bottleneck of riders is still vying for a top three podium

finish. The fight for those places should still be on a knife's edge. There will be long-range attacks - who-dares-wins stuff for that.

“Froome is sitting well in the lead and has most things under control. It remains to be seen if he and Sky defend it, or what we can do to fight back.”

With Movistar teammates Nairo Quintana (Colombia) and Alejandro Valverde (Spain) sitting fourth and fifth at the rest day, Porte is expecting one of them to challenge Sky’s stranglehold on

the race. 

“By no means do I rule out either with five days left to race,” he said.

“Nairo and Alejandro - they are going to attack. No way we've seen the last of them. I have the utmost respect for who they are, what they've done, and will still probably do in this Tour.

“The four days in the Alps before Sunday's finish in Paris are massive for them and everyone.”

Climb every mountain: Richie Porte (Team BMC) has come into his own since the Tour de France reached the mountains.ANY PORTE IN A STORM: Richie Porte reacts as he crosses the finish line

after stage 12 of the Tour de France from Montpellier to Chalet-Reynard. Pictures: Getty ImagesRaining champ: Porte continues his watching brief of rivals Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Chris

Froome (Team Sky) in the yellow leader's jersey.Porte will keep looking upRock star: Porte in time trial mode during the 37km 13th stage from Bourg-Saint-Andeol to La Caverne du Pont

D'Arc.ShareFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyRob ShawSports editor Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.

Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.

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