'It’s great to get some results at this time of year': Rudy Porter climbs to Course de la Paix podium
NATA runner-up general classification finish from Rudy Porter at Course de la Paix – Grand Prix Jeseníky was almost the perfect start to Australia’s UCI U23 Nations Cup season, with the Melburnian’s performance in the Czech Republic a highlight from the four-day tour.
Porter’s third place finish on Stage 2 catapulted the 21-year-old up the overall standings, which he maintained comfortably during Sunday’s Stage 3.
It’s a result that the Trinity Racing talent credits to both the Australian Cycling Team unit and a solid run of uninterrupted time on the bike in the month leading up to Course de la Paix in Jeseník.
“It’s great to get some results at this time of year, but most importantly from this tour was seeing how well the Aussie boys can come together from different trade teams and show why we are a top cycling nation,” Porter said.
“I had a rough start to my European campaign with early crashes and getting COVID.
“However, in the past month, I’ve had a good run of training and racing and am continuing to build.
“The tour was really enjoyable - it was a great group of guys who can have fun and enjoy each other’s company as well as a group who are extremely proud to wear the green and gold.
“(That) resulted in a great collective performance on the road lead by Rory’s (Sutherland) directions.”
Porter’s second year as a member of Trinity Racing has provided further evidence of his developing general classification ability, with a fourth place finish at Alpes Isère Tour a week ago in the French region of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes his best result of the season before Course de la Paix.
It’s in that same region of France where Porter is hoping to be in top form come August, with a second start at Tour de l'Avenir, the annual premier U23 stage race on the calendar, in his sights.
“Hopefully, I get to have another crack at l’Avenir after pulling out with sickness last year,” Porter said.
For now though, the Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club and InForm TMX MAKE product is taking the year race by race, including enjoying the opportunity to pedal in new locations such as the Czech Republic.
“I think all of us were blown away by the scenery and terrain in the Czech Republic,” Porter said.
“The race organizers did a great job of displaying what the country has to offer and I would highly recommend visiting.”
Australian Cycling Team’s next best stage result at Course de la Paix was a tight fourth place finish to Jensen Plowright on Stage 1.
Picture: Course de la Paix
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