Having witnessed the power of Richie Porte in the Australian Time Trial, Matt White, Orica Greenedge sports director, has described the Sky rider as “the strongest rider in the world.”

"The time he pulled back on Dennis at the turn in the time trial was around two seconds a kilometre, which was so impressive, especially when you consider that Dennis is going for the Hour Record within the month. I've not seen Richie this small and thin since maybe the Tour de France a couple of years ago. He is a man on a mission."

White knows that while things didn’t go to plan for Porte in the national road race, he will be a threat in the upcoming Tour Down Under, with the Willunga Hill stage, where he won last year. But without leader Simon Gerrans, the team is targeting stage wins and are happy to let Porte try to win the GC.

“The key as always is the Willunga Hill stage, in terms of the overall, and if Porte can get a good gap the tour could be over, for us we'll be hunting for stage wins throughout the race and we'll play a big part in the action, that's for sure."