Mikel Nieve has changed his plans. Biciciclismo reports that the Team Sky rider will support Richie Porte in the Giro d'Italia mountains.

The Giro was not in the plans for the climber, but Sky have decided to add him to the roster that will accompany Porte in his attempt to win the Giro. He may still be at Chris Froome's side at the Tour de France as was originally the plan.

In his two seasons with the team, Nieve has become an important part of the squad and especially a key rider for their leaders in the mountains. Last year ahe lso won the queen stage of the Dauphiné. This will be his third time at the Giro, after being tenth in 2011 and 2012 and after winning the big stage to Gardeccia/Val di Fassa in 2011 on a day with more than 6,000 metres of climbing and more than seven hours on the bike.

Porte will lead the Sky in the Giro, with König, Nieve, David Lopez, Zandio, Sebastián Henao and Viviani at his side.

In 2015, Nieve was fourth in the Vuelta a Andalucía, 17th in Tirreno-Adriatico and 45th at the recent Tour of the Basque Country affected by allergies. His next races will be Fleche Wallonne and Liege.