Some riders will be out of their contract at the end of this season. Richie Porte, who ride for the Team Sky since 2012, has been linked to both Etixx-QuickStep and BMC Racing for 2016. According to Cyclingnews, one source close to Team Sky has told Cyclingnews that Porte will almost certainly head to BMC.

"We don't talk about the terms of the contract but we're recruiting and building this team for 2017, 18, and up to 20", manager Jim Ochowicz told Cyclingnews. "Our roster is almost done for next year and we'll be lucky to sign two or three new riders. We're retaining 25 riders from this year for 2016 so that only leaves a couple of spots open. What we have is the development team to draw from and that's the future of what we’re doing."

Ochowicz did not name Porte, but explained that he wants someone with his exact talents. "Most climbers could be in that category. We have a second GC rider in Caruso so do we need another GC rider? Sometimes climbers turn into GC riders because they're good riders and sometimes they're young like Caruso. But we need climbers. There are a lot of them on the market. We're being picky and we're looking for the right one. They need to be a climber but they need to fit in personality-wise and the culture of how we race and live together."

BMC had tried to sign Porte when he left Saxo Bank for Team Sky several years ago, Ochowicz confirmed. "We were looking for Richie three or four years ago and we came close to signing him at that point. We've know him for years. Cadel knows him and he's a nice kid. I can't confirm who we're talking to."