Richie Porte to lead Sky Procycling team in Santos Tour Down Under

AUSTRALIAN Richie Porte will headline Sky Procycling's assault on the Santos Tour Down Under next month.

Champion Australian cyclist Richie Porte will lead the Sky Procycling team in the TDU. Picture: Colleen Petch.

AUSTRALIAN Richie Porte will headline Sky Procycling's assault on the Santos Tour Down Under next month.

The Tasmanian who helped guide teammate Chris Froome to victory in this year's Tour de France will lead a strong team in search of the ochre jersey in Adelaide from January 19-26.

Porte enjoyed a breakout season in 2013 in which he became the first Australian to win Paris-Nice and finished second overall at Criterium du Dauphine and Criterium International.

Next year he is taking aim at winning the Giro d'Italia.

He will be supported at the TDU by Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas, fellow Aussie Chris Sutton, Philip Deignan, Bernhard Eisel, Luke Rowe and Ian Stannard.

"I've spent a bit of time in Adelaide so I know the climbs pretty well," Porte said.

"I think if I'm in good form and we have a strong team there - if not me then through Geraint Thomas we also have a really good chance.

"He was brilliant there last season so it should be an interesting race."

Thomas wore the leader's jersey in this year's race when he won Stage 2 following a torturous climb and descent on Corkscrew Rd.

"It's great that there's interest from an Australian perspective with Cadel (Evans) starting his

season there, myself, Simon Gerrans and guys like that," Porte said.

"I've been in Australia for the last month and you can see how big cycling is getting. People are really taking an interest."