Jack Bobridge managed to defend his lead in today's stage of the Tour Down Under. Originally, the race was set to serve as preparation for his Hour Record attempt but now the race leader will go all out to defend the jersey, maybe comprimising his chances on January 31.

For Bobridge the support from the side of the road provided extra incentive, if any was needed, to dig deep for the Santos Ochre Leader's Jersey. 

"It wasn't an easy ride after yesterday's," said Bobridge who was a driving force in a four man breakaway that led to first first stage win in the Tour. "It was pretty lumpy from the word go, it wasn't much flat today, it was super hard indeed.

"I take my hat off to my team-mates, they've been sensational," said Bobridge of the UniSA-Australia riders. "I was following Richie Porte (Team Sky) with one kilometre to go. He gapped me but luckily other riders kept me connected with the bunch."

That meant he finished in the middle of the group of 50 odd riders who were awarded the same time as the stage winner.

"I came here to look after the young guys but now I'm in the jersey and I'm one hundred percent focused on defending this ochre jersey."

Bobridge is due to make an attempt on the prestigious hour record but that is for next week.

"Now it's all for this jersey," he said. "All the way, there were people cheering for me, it's fantastic.

"It is an attempt next Saturday night and I would love to break it but this chance doesn't come around all the time to be sitting in the leader's jersey at the Tour Down Under. It is hard to say what is more important, Hour Record is pretty special but it is also Tour Down Under.

"At this point in time I will concentrate on Tour Down Under and see if I can win this week. I'll concentrate on the Hour Record when it comes around.

"If I have to race everyday like that I will be tired but I can't throw away not trying for the leader's jersey so I'll give it 100 per cent and worry about the Hour Record and recovery next week. I'll do my best and the team supports me 100 per cent so we are going to try and hold the jersey for as long as possible.

"I've got full confidence in myself to hold it. We have to wait and see how this week goes and how fatigued I am. I wouldn't do it unless I was confident I would hold it for a long time."