The heavy task of keeping the yellow jersey within Team Sky for a third year in succession now weighs on the back of Richie Porte, who finds himself the leader of the British outfit after the withdrawal of title-holder Chris Froome on Wednesday.

Dave Brailsford, who led Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome to Tour victory in 2012 and 2013, insists that the 29-year-old Australian, winner of Paris-Nice in 2013 and best young rider in the 2010 Giro, is “a capable, viable leader”.

Winner this year of the queen stage of the Tour Down Under, the Tasmanian has since been extremely discreet, shunning the Giro d'Italia with gastro-enteritis. For Brailsford, this modest season is a token of Porte's “freshness” and the team manager explained that Porte had been picked because of “his climbing abilities”.

British press will for sure discuss at length the decision of doing without Bradley Wiggins, who might have been a more credible alternative, but it is already a lost cause. Porte it will be, and he showed for his debut on the cobbles that he had resources. Will it be enough for him to take over a leading role?

One of the arguments, which have been used by experts, is Wiggins’s strong performance in this year’s Paris-Roubaix. Looking back on yesterday’s stage, could he have done a difference for Team Sky?

Chris Froome, in any case, supports his replacement and his team-mates with this statement for the ASO website:

“They've shown they are ready to get behind Richie, who's in excellent form, and I would like to wish everyone all the best. I'll certainly be cheering them on.”