Richie Porte, who will wear the BMC Racing Team jersey in 2016, will be the leader at the next Tour de France. According to Fairfax Media, the Australian rider explained he will not take an unfair advantage of his inside knowledge of the Team Sky.

"I would never exploit Chris in any situation. He is a good mate," the 30-year-old rider explained. "What I've learned riding so close to Chris is that he doesn't have many weaknesses. In 2013 at l'Alpe d'Huez, that was a mistake on his behalf which he has never made since. But then this year people just don't realise how sick 'Froomey' was that day."

He will share the leadership with American Tejay van Garderen. "It's been great that Tejay picked up the phone to talk to me about it. But it's not uncommon that there are two guys [in a team] going for general classification.

"Well, with Brad and Froomey we know how that worked out, but then there is also Quintana and [Alejandro] Valverde [at Movistar] and they were second and third this year in the Tour. Tejay and I are pretty good friends. I'm sure we can deal with it. It's easier to have two guys [rather than] all the stress on one guy. I am man enough to tell Tejay if I am not on a good one and I would expect he is exactly the same with me."

This week, ASO organizers announced the route of the 2016 Tour de France. The next edition will pass through the Massif Central ,Pyrenees, Alps and Jura for 28 mountains (three more than this year) and two individual time trial. "Yeah. Hundred per cent. I am just looking forward to being able to target the race. I am excited for that. I'm not saying I'm going to win the Tour, but I have to give myself the opportunity. I have ridden so many years in support of stars like Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Contador."

"Winning races like Paris-Nice and Catalunya this year has shown I need to take the opportunity – at least give myself the chance to see what I can do."