Porte's early season successes have drawn interest from other teams. It is understood Etixx-QuickStep is one team that has also approached the Australian. Richie Porte (right) talks with Sky team leader Chris Froome during a training session in Zeist, Netherlands. Credit:Reuters Porte did not wish to comment on links with BMC stating that his priority was to focus on helping his close mate Froome try and win a second Tour. However, he told AAP that a departure from Sky was a possibiity, as he wants a leader's role. "I'm very confident, I have a few really good offers in great teams," Porte told AAP.

"You don't take it lightly, leaving a team like Sky. In a lot of ways, it's the best team for grand tour racing, but I need to think about my future. "In any other team, bar three or four, I would actually be the Tour leader. But that's certainly something I'm really looking at now." Porte's manager Andrew McQuaid referred Fairfax Media to the Union Cycliste International law that rules that a contracted rider is not allowed to sign with a new team until August 1. But when pressed on BMC's interest, McQuaid said: "There are a lot of options. He has been one of the best riders of the year. We will wait and see. Let's focus on the Tour and see how he goes." It is understood that BMC have led the pursuit for Porte's signature.

BMC have room for a second grand tour leader alongside Tejay van Garderen of the USA following the retirement of the great Australian rider Cadel Evans in February. The BMC team has long had interest in Porte. The team tried to recruit him after the 2011 season, but he opted to join Sky instead. BMC also expressed interest in Porte in January at the Australian road titles in Buninyong, Victoria. Then nearing the end of the Giro in May, BMC team president Jim Ochowicz told Fairfax Media that: "We need a second 'GC' [general classification] rider.

"That is pretty clear. Cadel retired and that has opened up a spot which we haven't filled yet." Pressed on Thursday about reports that Porte is BMC bound, Ochowicz told Fairfax Media: "It's a rumour and we don't usually comment on rumours. "And as I told you in May, we had approached Richie some years ago also, and it didn't work out." However, Ochowicz confirmed that BMC have spoken to Porte's management. "We have always had an interest in Richie," Ochowicz said.

"He is certainly one of many, many riders up in the market place that are available. "He has been shopping around. We have been shopping around. "Have our paths crossed [with his management]? Yes … but that's all I can say." BMC sporting manager Australian Allan Peiper told Fairfax Media at the Australian road titles in January that while Rohan Dennis of Australia and Damiano Caruso of Italy are seen as two of their riders who could develop into grand tour leaders, Porte would be valuable for the team now. "Strength in numbers is always better than just having one card to play with. Why wouldn't we [be interested]?" Peiper said then.