Michael Rogers looking forward to tough challenge of 18th stage CYCLING: After finishing yesterday's individual time trial in a respectable 13th place, Michael Rogers said he was looking forward to the "awesome" prospect of the 18th stage, with its two ascents of the mighty Alpe d'Huez. The triple world time-trial champion finished the tricky 32km ride from Embrun to Chorges 2min 25sec down on stage winner Chris Froome to claim a very respectable 11th place in the overall Tour de France standings. With Alberto Contador second and Czech cyclist Roman Kreuziger third in the general classification, the Australian and his Team Saxo colleagues are enjoying an impressive Tour, but Contador's inability to keep pace with Froome is proving to be a source of frustration. Rogers, who moved to Saxo after playing a key supporting role in helping Bradley Wiggins win last year's Tour for Team Sky, saw Contador lose a further 9sec on Froome yesterday. He was keenly awaiting the challenge coming up on Alpe d'Huez. "Some of the best experiences I've had on a bike are riding up there and I'm sure this time will be the same," he said. Rogers, like Contador and Froome, has recent experience of the mighty climb, having ridden in the Criterium du Dauphine last month, which included an ascent of Alpe d'Huez. Fellow Australian Richie Porte also took part in that event on his way to a second-place finish behind Froome overall. On the Tour, Porte has played an admirable supporting role for Froome in his bid to win the yellow jersey, and the 28-year-old Tasmanian was hoping to feature in the overnight stage. My job is just to be there and support Chris, so I just need to stay around him. He's got some good time and it will just be about defending the yellow jersey," Porte said after finishing the time-trial 4min 49sec behind Froome. Up Alpe d'Huez, it's not going to be an easy day, but we've got good time on the next guy in GC (general classification) and Chris is in great form. The team's in a good position and let's try and notch up another scalp. With a disappointing Tour so far, 2011 winner Cadel Evans is 18th overall, 24min 44sec from Froome after another lowly finish in the time trial. "It looks like the Giro took a lot more out of me than I first thought," the veteran said of his third-place finish in Italy in May. It's something we tried, knowing there was an element of risk racing the Giro then the Tour.