Sky Procycling reliable lieutenant Richie Porte is considered not only as one of the most valuable domestiques in the professional peloton, but very likely the prominent future stage racing star in the making. Even before the departure of Rigoberto Uran was officially announced, it seemed obvious that the tiny Tasmanian has to be provided with more opportunities to lead the British formidable squad, not to be tempted by more promising offers from other World Tour teams. Upcoming season should be a huge step forward for Porte, as 28-year old rider for the first time will be handed a leadership role in the Grand Tour race, with a real chances to claim an overall victory.

“The Giro for me is a massive goal,” he admits. “I can ride my bike every day with it in the back of my mind. I want to go there and perform.

Last year has to be regarded as an extremely successful one for Team Sky, and so it was for 28-year old Richie Porte. Being Chris Froome’s most reliable lieutenant, tiny Tasmanian played a significant role in every single victory taken by Kenyan-born Tour the France winner. Apart from la Grande Boucle, Australian supported the Briton at Tour of Oman, Criterium International, Tour the Romandie and Criterium du Dauphine, and even though he is known for his selflessness and devotion for Sky Procycling leader, it didn’t prevent him from finishing as runner-up on two occasions.

“I’ve had the pressure on me of leading teams last year and I think I performed quite well. It’s been great riding for Bradley (Wiggins) and Chris (Froome). They are brilliant riders, but now I really want to step it up and take my opportunities too.”
 

While released from his supporting duties, Porte managed to claim his career’s greatest victory to date in last year’s Paris-Nice and finished runner-up in Vuelta al Pais Vasco only behind Nairo Quintana, what proved his quality as a highly promising prospect for a stage racing star and forced Sky management to prepare the ground for his further development.

“Winning Paris-Nice last season was an absolute dream come true,” Porte told TeamSky.com. “I had a great season and was quite consistent all year, but I really want to step it up again this time.”
 

And so it happened, as Porte was announced the Team Sky leader for 2014 Giro d’Italia, with the route that very likely should favour the versatile Australian. It would be the third participation in the Italian race for Porte, who has won the youth classification in his maiden Grand Tour event in 2010 to struggle hard while supporting Alberto Contador in the following year.

“I’ve done two Giros before,” he explains. “One was the first Grand Tour I ever did (2010) and I ended up winning the white jersey and riding three days in the pink [maglia rosa, leader’s jersey]. So I have good experiences from it.
 

“The next year I rode with (Alberto) Contador and I didn’t enjoy that Giro at all. I was totally unprepared for how hard it was going to be. They say this year is going to be a hard Giro but I guess it’s like any race, they’re all hard. I’ve never done an easy race. It’s nice not to get too caught up in that.”
 

Porte will kick off his campaign in Australia at the national championships on 12 January, followed by Tour Down Under between21-26 January. Even though the Tasmanian rider admits that the Giro is his most massive goal for the upcoming season, he still hopes to carry his form all the way to the Tour the France in order to support Chris Froome in his yellow jersey defense.

“A big goal for me is to do a great Giro – but I’ve been talking to Tim Kerrison about coming out of it, and how do we get it right so that I can do the same role as I did for Chris last year at the Tour. I’d love to be up there throwing punches working for the team. That’s a big goal for me.

“If Chris wants to win the Tour again, which I think he does, then I want to be there.”