Gerardmer: Richie Porte's chance to lead Sky at the Tour de France might have come about because of Chris Froome’s exit but he has been viewed as a grand tour leader in waiting for some time, says team boss David Brailsford.

The Australian rode into Sky’s recruiting scope in 2010 when he joined Tinkoff-Saxo. His rookie year included a seventh place in the Giro d’Italia, in which he wore the leader’s pink jersey for three days and won the white jersey for best young rider.

But it was his win Paris-Nice win last year that showed Brailsford that Porte had the mindset to be more than a strong support rider.

Sky promised Porte he would be considered a potential leader when he joined the team after 2011 – even if the timing of a step up to the leadership could not be guaranteed. Sky already had two leaders in Britons Bradley Wiggins, who won the 2012 Tour, and Froome, who won last year.

But most important, says Brailsford, is that when his opportunity came, Porte was ready.

Going into Sunday's ninth, 170-kilometre stage from Gerardmer to Mulhouse, Porte was third overall at one minute, 58 seconds behind Italian race leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).

Between them in second place was Nibali's Danish teammate, Jakob Fuglsang, at 1.44.

"Richie’s confidence has grown a lot over the last couple of years, not just now," Brailsford said.

"Winning Paris-Nice was a big moment for him. It really got his belief systems in place and he kicked on from there a little."

Brailsford admires Porte for the strength of mind he showed while waiting for the opportunity now on offer, especially as illness scuppered his first chance to lead Sky in a grand tour, this year’s Giro d'Italia.

His health problems arose in March while riding in the Tirreno-Adriatico race. They forced him to withdraw before the Giro began and focus solely on helping Froome to try win a second Tour.

"It was unfortunate he got sick in Tirreno," Brailsford said. "He really wanted his opportunity in the Giro and, all being well, I think he would have gone terrifically well.

"He was so close [to getting his chance to lead in a grand tour] ... and you do get your opportunity.

"So when it comes you grasp it. That's life and I think he is grasping it.

"It was disappointing for him when he got sick at Tirreno because it took away that chance for the Giro and he stayed with the team [re-signing with Sky for two more years] so he would be given an opportunity at some point.

"We feel pleased in a way that we are fulfilling our side of a promise. He gets his chance ..."

Brailsford believes one positive to come from Froome’s withdrawal is that the Sky riders at the Tour – down to seven riders from nine after Xabier Zando crashed out –  have been re-energised by a fresh challenge.

It is a point Porte raised in his daily diary for Fairfax Media after stage seven.

"When you get existing riders who get new opportunities, it makes them excited and that excitement passes around the whole group, around all the staff," Brailsford said.

"It's a slightly different challenge than coming here with somebody who is one of the favourites to win. All of a sudden you’ve got somebody else who thinks, 'Wow, this is fantastic'. And it has changed the mentality a little bit. And it's really positive."

Brailsford said a turning point for Porte in this year’s Tour was his impressive ride, despite crashing, in Wednesday’s fifth stage. This included seven sectors of cobblestones.

"Actually, he rode fantastically well and that gave him a lot of confidence."