Chris Froome says team-mate turned rival Richie Porte can challenge for Tour de France

CHRIS Froome says close friend and now rival Richie Porte poses a serious threat to his Tour de France defence in July.

Tour Down Under - Stage 5 - McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill. Richie Porte storms towards another victory at Willunga Hill. Photo Sarah Reed

CHRIS Froome says close friend and now rival Richie Porte poses a serious threat to his Tour de France defence in July.

Porte has been a crucial part of Froome’s Tour triumphs in 2013 and 2015 — including last year’s amazing ride up Alp d’Huez when the Tasmanian paced the superstar up the climb on the penultimate stage.

But Froome will be without his wingman when he returns to the Tour this year and will instead be fighting him off after Porte switched from Sky to BMC in the off-season.

Porte will form a two-pronged attack at this year’s Tour with American Tejay van Garderen who finished fifth overall in 2014.

Froome watched Porte’s Tour Down Under stage win on Old Willunga Hill on television on Saturday and said he was pleased for him.

“It’s good to see him going well and keep his Willunga title in really good fashion,” Froome said after arriving in Adelaide on Monday.

“I’ve said it all along I believe he’s got massive potential as a GC rider himself.

“He’s one of the best climbers in the world and he can time trial really well too.

“Even for this year’s Tour de France he could be one rider who people aren’t necessarily talking about as one of the favourites but I definitely expect he’s going to be up there.”

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