Former Canberra cyclist Stephen Hodge says Michael Rogers can be the joker in the pack in key breakaways in the mountains, just like he was at the Giro d'Italia in May.
Rogers won two stages at the Giro and now has the freedom to go for similar wins after Alberto Contador crashed out of the Tour de France during the week.
Michael Rogers is now leading his team after Alberto Contador crashed out of the Tour De France. Credit: Getty Images.
The 34-year-old Canberran was Contador's right-hand man in the Spaniard's quest to recapture the yellow jersey.
Rogers was brought to the Tinkoff-Saxo team to try and emulate the crucial role he played for Bradley Wiggins, who won the 2012 Tour.
Rogers celebrates after winning the 11th stage of the 97th Giro d'Italia in May. Credit: AFP
When Contador broke his leg in a crash on Monday, it opened the door for Rogers to do his own thing.
He is more than 47 minutes behind current leader Vincenzo Nibali and is no threat to any of the general classification (GC) hopefuls.
With the Tour heading into the Alps overnight, Rogers is now perfectly placed to go in search of glory with stage wins.
Rogers claimed two stage wins at the Giro in similar terrain.
He saluted on the penultimate stage, which finished with a category-one climb, as well as stage 11 when he launched a daring attack on the final descent.
"Michael's performance in the Tour of Italy is probably a good indicator about what we could expect from Mick," Hodge said.
"He can now get into breaks and really aspire to winning some spectacular mountain stages.
"We'll see him less on the front [working] for long periods, but we will see him as the joker in the pack coming into key breakaway possibilities – like we saw with the young French guy that won [the 11th stage], [Tony] Gallopin.
"I'll expect we'll see Michael really going for it."
Rogers is 47 minutes, 48 seconds behind Nibali and is not a threat for the yellow jersey.
It means if he can escape on a breakaway then the GC riders will not need to chase him.
He has the freedom to try and repeat his Giro wins and continue his sensational return to racing.
"He's a talented climber ... and because he's 45 minutes down on GC, the leaders in the general classification won't be concerned if he rides away," he said.
"He's got that freedom so he can get away and get a good amount of time up so he can stay away and not be caught by the chasing big guns.
"The last week is totally full on, so there's lots of stages [he could win] ... all packed into this last week."
Hodges felt Rogers' form was still as strong as it was at the Giro.
"His form was fantastic in the Tour of Italy and he's been with Contador on all the climbs, working hard on the front," he said.
"I would say his form's really good. We've really got some hope that he'll be playing a leading role in some of the breakaways."
Hodges felt it would be a big ask for Australian Richie Porte to win the Tour, saying Nibali was looking very strong.
But if the Italian faltered, then Porte would be there to capitalise.
"I think it's a big ask, but what most Australians are hoping for is he can definitely podium, but he's at the peak of his capacity," Hodge said.
"If Nibali falters, Richie will be there, but Nibali is looking very, very strong."