On January 1, Richie Porte will join the BMC Racing Team. Even though his kit and his bike will change, he will keep his ambitions. The Australian rider hopes to have the opportunity to win the Tour de France. 

"At the end of the day I knew what I had in Sky, and I was happy there but I’ve been close to coming to BMC before," Porte explained to Cyclingnews. "I’m finally here and certainly in the early part of last season, I showed that when I had good form I do need to take my own opportunities. Obviously I’m here and alongside Tejay we can be competitive in the Tour de France."

At the next Tour de France, he will share he leadership with Tejay van Garderen. They are complementary: Porte has won more week-long races (Paris-Nice in 2013 and 2015, Volta a Catalunya in 2015, Giro del Trentino in 2015 and Volta a Algarve in 2012) and van Garderen has finished in the top 5 of the Tour de France (5th overall in 2012 and 2014).

"It’s good for Tejay to have me in the team but it’s also good for me to have Tejay," the Australian added. "I don’t have quite the runs on the board in a Grand Tour but I’m 31 next season and I’m not going to retire wondering what I could have done. BMC is that big opportunity for me to have that dedicated team, alongside Tejay, to see what we can do."

"Froome has had some bad days in the Tour but even with two of them he’s still won. There’s not a lot he’s beatable on but it’s not just Tejay and I looking to exploit him. There’s Contador and these other guys too."