He wants to achieve a Tour de France podium and become an Olympian.

Having got married, swapped teams and turned 31 in the last few months, the Tasmanian has a fresh perspective as he attempts to take the next step up to the pinnacle of pro cycling.

After assisting the winning rider in three of the last four editions of the Tour de France, Porte is ready to challenge for himself in Paris and again at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro just two weeks later.

‘‘This year is a massive opportunity,’’ said Porte, whose move from Team Sky to compatriot Cadel Evans’ old team, BMC, represented the highest profile switch in cycling’s off-season.

‘‘I am really going to go for the Tour this year.

‘‘The form I had going into the big races last year, if I could reproduce that and get my time trialling back to where I know it can be, and also get a bit of luck, I think I can be on the podium in Paris.’’

Relaxing in Launceston with his British wife Gemma, Porte said he was equally excited about 2016 being an Olympic year, having controversially missed out in London four years ago.

‘‘Rio is a massive goal for me. The course is hilly and hard, just perfect for me, so it has to be up there. I want to be there and I won’t just be going to get the tracksuit.

‘‘I’ve ridden a lot with [two-time Tour winner] Chris Froome and when he rode the course the first thing he said was that it was just brilliant for me.

‘‘There’s a lot of politics involved but it would be a massive achievement to become an Olympian. I’m not the sort to rush out and get the Olympic tattoo, but growing up that’s what everyone dreams of taking part in.’’

Enjoying the Tasmanian summer a world away from her chilly home town of Manchester, Gemma said her husband was  dealing well with both the publicity and responsibility of his move.

‘‘It’s good for him to get time with his family,’’ she said.

‘‘He’s more relaxed when he’s here and just enjoys riding more, so I think he’s going into the year really well placed, especially after getting second at Tour Down Under.

‘‘He is super motivated for this year, so I hope it will be the big one that he wants.’’