Porte "could finish on the podium in this year’s Giro d’Italia" Robbie McEwen says

INEOS Grenadiers are coming into the Giro d'Italia with Richard Carapaz on the helm. However, with a very strong team behind, some argue that a multi-pronged approach may be the best strategy for the British team, amongst them Robbie McEwen.

“Ineos are just going to stick to the plan. I think that it’s important for them to not only look after Carapaz but to keep Richie Porte on board as a GC contender," Robbie McEwen said on Eurosport's post-race analysis. Much like Bradley Wiggins, McEwen also showed a lot of confidence in one general classification contender of his country, and believes Porte can be a card to play for the GC later in the race.

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"They don’t want to let him fall away, or fall away into that domestique role because I think that he could finish on the podium in this year’s Giro d’Italia if he rode as a leader,” he added.

Porte has stated that "I can just focus on my job, and help someone win" when talking about the undisputed leadership of Richard Carapaz. In the final Grand Tour of the season, he is enjoying the lack of pressure that comes along with fighting for a top result, and instead focusing on team support. For strategy's sake however, both he and Pavel Sivakov may play a role in the race, if INEOS Grenadiers must go on the offensive. 

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“Keeping him in the mindset of riding as a GC contender and not saying ‘I’m not here to ride for GC, and losing time here and there, dropping off and losing minutes. They’ve got to say you are protected, stay with Richard Carapaz all the way to the finish and if you feel good why not go? A two-pronged attack is better than one," he concluded.