A career of every professional cyclist is marked by ups and downs, but not mane need to bounce back as badly following a disappointing 2014 season as does Richie Porte. An illness pulled the 29-year old Tasmanian out of the Giro d'Italia and prevented him from taking over the leadership at Team Sky after Chris Froome had abandoned the Tour de France, but he claims that he is ready to  return as he managed to regain his health. The Australian championships will serve Porte as the first important objective of 2015, as ciscumstances seem to be more favourable than in previous years...

Orica-GreenEDGE is usually the one to beat in the national championships held in late January, as the Austalian team is able to line up with strong WorldTour-class team capable of controlling the race a dictate tactics. Things are going to look differently next year, however, as their leader and current Australian champion, Simon Gerrans, broke his collarbone just a month before the competition and his natural successor, Michael Matthews, remains in Europe due to kick off his 2015 season no sooner than at Paris-Nice. 

Acknowledging that circumstances are more favourable than in previous years, the 29-year Tasmanian is eager to mark his return to competition by winning the national jersey for the first time in his professional career.

“I love the Buninyong course and I don’t think that GreenEDGE has got quite the numbers they’ve had in other years,” he told The Guardian.

“It would be very nice to have a podium like we had this year and anybody that wins on that circuit is a worthy winner.

“So it’s a big goal to go there and try and take that jersey.”

Clad in the green and yellow jersey, Porte hopes to once again line up at the Giro d'Italia as Team Sky leader to eventually prove himself as a Grand Tour contender. Balanced route of the next edition of the Italian Grand Tour should suit his characteristics well.

“I’d love to compete in the Giro as the new Australian champion,” Porte said. “My health is back where it needs to be and I want to lead in a grand tour and the Giro is the target for me. Nothing is a given yet, but it looks like that will be my race.

“Chris has also had an up and down season and it’s his goal to go back and win the Tour de France. I’d love to be there supporting him, but I’m also going to take my opportunities next season,” Porte concluded the interview for The Guardian.