Saxo Bank signs Porte

Australian talent, 24-year-old Richie Porte, has signed a two-year contract with Danish Team Saxo Bank. The young gun has only been in the sport for three years, but in his phenomenally short career he has already made it to the sport's top level.

This year alone, Porte has celebrated wins at both one-day and stage races throughout the European season, including a victory in the individual time trial at the Baby Giro.

"Richie is relatively new in the world of cycling, but he has already shown his great talent on the road by scoring several impressive victories in diverse terrain and on time trials," said Saxo Bank team owner Bjarne Riis on his latest signing. "With his winning character and team spirit, he will undoubtedly fall well into place on Team Saxo Bank. We are looking forward to working with Richie and even more so to developing his obvious great talent."

Porte only took up cycling at 21, after having competed in triathlon since the age of 18. The Launceston, Tasmania, native then took the decision to head to Europe as an amateur in search of a professional contract, instead of progressing through the route of the Australian Institute of Sport.

Read more about Porte's progression in our recent feature.

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