Tom Dumoulin climbed with the best on Willunga Hill, but lost precious seconds that saw him slip from third to fourth overall in the Tour Down Under. With one day to race he sits 22 seconds behind overall race leader Rohan Dennis (BMC).

Dumoulin fought through the head- and side-winds leading to the last climb up Willunga Hill. Rival team Orica drilled the pace, but Dumoulin, wearing the white jersey for race leader Dennis, sat safely in Cadel Evans’ wheel.

However, Dumoulin lost positions when Richie Porte (Sky) attacked at 1.1 kilometres to race. Evans slipped behind and left Dennis to chase. The rest hovered behind.

Porte won the stage, Dennis placed second at nine seconds to protect his overall lead over Porte. Dumoulin placed fifth in a three-man group at 16 seconds.

Simon Geschke finished back at 2-16 minutes and slipped to 22nd overall. He said that he was “far from his best, but happy for Tom.”

"Richie Porte and Rohan Dennis were simply too strong for me," Dumoulin told De Telegraaf. "I was about ten meters from them and finally I could not follow their pace. It is a shame that I drop down from the podium but I would have signed for a fourth place before the race."

"I could not bridge that gap. In a headwind I would have had a chance to connect, but with the wind behind us it was not possible. If I could connect I would have had a great opportunity with my fast legs but they just rode too fast for me.

"The intention was to start the season well. I think I managed to do that during this week. So far I can look back at an excellent Tour Down Under. In the traditional sprint stage tomorrow in Adelaide we have another chance for a stage win with Marcel Kittel."

“We didn’t need to work early on today due to a small break that was up the road,” race coach Addy Engels explained. “Marcel Kittel and Koen de Kort did well in giving Tom and Simon a hand for the first time up Willunga. Their efforts made sure the GC boys could start in the first ten up the climb.”

“Tom paced fifth and held his fourth overall. He did the right move. Porte attacked and Dennis and Tom followed. The accelerations from Porte were too much, and he won the stage.

“Tom could hang on in a group of three, though, and fought for third place and BONUS seconds. He didn’t get it, but we are proud of his efforts.”