Team Sky rider Richie Porte has set his sights on victory in the season-opening Tour Down Under.
The 28-year-old Australian said that there is a buzz in his home country ahead of the race, which gets underway in Adelaide on January 17.
"As an Aussie, it is the race to win," Porte told Sky Sports News. "It used to be a sprinter's race, but now there are some good climbs in there like Corkscrew and Willunga. I have spent a bit of time in Adelaide so I know the climbs pretty well.
"I think if I'm in good form and we have a strong team there, if not me then through Geraint Thomas, we have a really good chance. He was brilliant there last season so it should be an interesting race.
"It is great that there is interest from an Australian perspective with Cadel [Evans] starting his season there, myself, Simon Gerrans and guys like that. I have been in Australia for the last month and you can see how big cycling is getting. People are really taking an interest."
Thomas came third last year.
Michael Penkman
