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Enlarge Photo HTC Columbia's team rider Michael Rogers of Australia cycles during the third and time trial... Australian Michael Rogers seized the overall lead in the Tour de Romandie after the third-stage individual time trial on Friday, while little-known compatriot Richie Porte won the day's laurels.Porte, a 25-year-old former triathlon specialist who started riding only four years ago, caused a major upset by winning in 30 minutes 54 seconds, outclassing the favourites over 23.4 kms.
Spaniard Alejandro Valverde was second, 26 seconds behind, while Russian Vladimir Karpets was third, 27 seconds adrift.
Rogers, a former time trial world champion, was fourth, enough for him to oust Slovak Peter Sagan from the top spot.
The Team Columbia rider leads Valverde by two seconds overall, while Karpets is third, five seconds off the pace.
"It's a massive surprise because I crashed in the prologue at the first corner," said the Tasmanian-born Porte. "I'm training with (former Olympic champion and time trial specialist) Bradley McGee and I did everything he said and that's what happened.
"I can't believe it because I was like 30 seconds down at the first intermediate timing. The wind must have changed or something."
Rogers, 30, is enjoying a superb season with wins in the Tour of Andalucia and second place in the Criterium International.
"It's my best ever season because the last few years were plagued by injuries, health and other personal problems. I changed a lot of things in the way I'm training," he said.
On current form, Rogers, the team mate of British sprinter Mark Cavendish, is confident he should be his team's leader in the Tour de France in July.
"Every result I have gives my team mates more confidence. I think I should be ready to start my first Tour as a leader this year," he said.
(Editing by Clare Fallon;
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