Astana played with their muscles in the queen stage of the Tour Down Under when they split the peloton in the run-in to the final climb. In the end, however, leader Luis Leon Sanchez coul onlu manage 16th on the final climb and dropped out of top 10 contention.

“The attack put a lot of other teams in trouble," Davide Malacarne said after stage five at the Tour Down Under.

Malacarne crossed the top of Willunga Hill first following an attack by teammates Dario Cataldo, Lars Boom and Luis Leon Sanchez had stretched the peloton, with Astana Pro Team’s advantage growing quickly in a strong crosswind.

Rival teams caught and passed Astana on the final climb, with Australian rider Richie Porte winning the stage. Malacarne’s work with his teammates ahead of Sunday’s final stage in Adelaide is a promising sign for race activity in the upcoming season.