Wout Poels hopes to be a team leader in the Giro d'Italia. The Sky rider hopes to seize his chance after Richie Porte has announced his departure from the team.

Poels is currently riding the Tour de France in a domestique role for yellow jersey holder Chris Froome.

"I see this Tour as a stepping stone in my career towards next year's Giro where I want to ride my own GC," he told Algemeen Dagblad. "I think the team has a similar plan. We have already taleked a bit about it.
 

"There is a gap in the team so Richie's departure would be nice chance. I really see this Tour de France as a chance to learn. That makes it easier for me to sit up on certain days and lose more than 10 minutes."