After a strong win at Paris-Nice, Australian Richie Porte hopes to improve his condition to be in a top-form in one month at the start of Giro d’Italia, his main goal this season. The Team Sky will be one of the favorite for the title with Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Fabio Aru (Astana Pro Team).

“I’m comfortable again in the peloton,” Porte said. “I’m happy, I’m motivated, and I’m getting the respect back in the peloton from the competitors, which makes it a little bit easier, too. As far as being a bike rider goes, I’m mentally and physically as good as I’ve ever been.”

“They are saying the big four were in Tirreno,” said Porte. “But to be honest, [Nairo] Quintana is obviously moving well, Alberto [Contador] is not at his best and neither is [Vincenzo] Nibali. I think Paris-Nice we saw [Michal] Kwiatkowski flying and Špilak was good and Rui Costa and guys like that.”

Porte compared the Italian three-week race and the race to the sun. “Obviously the Giro being a three-week race compared to Paris-Nice being eight days, it’s a little bit different.” Currently in a contract year, Porte knows the time is now to produce results. “I’ve read things that question me over three weeks, but I’ve done seven grand tours and I think I’ve got enough experience now and I know how to recover in between stages and not let the media hype get to me. I talked to Tim Kerrison about it and he has all the confidence in the world in me and I take confidence from that — after all, this guy has won the Tour a couple of times with Brad [Wiggins] and Chris [Froome].”

“I’m ready,” Porte concluded. “I’m much more mature this year and I’m healthy and I’m probably fitter than I’ve ever been and ready to make the step up.”