With time running out for general classification contenders to supplant two-time race winner Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) from atop the leader board, Richie Porte, one of four Australian pre-race favourites which included Gerrans, Cadel Evans and Rohan Dennis, has suggested the unthinkable – a possible alliance with his soon-to-be Giro d'Italia rival – Cadel Evans (BMC).