After having beaten Andre Greipel in the People's Choice Classic, Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) was the odds-on favourite to win today's stage of the Tour Down Under which was expected to suit the sprinters. When Orica-GreenEDGE split things in the crosswinds, however, the German failed to make the selection and missed out on his first opportunity to win a UCI race in 2014.

Marcel Kittel has had to bide his time for unusually long time in this year's Tour Down Under. Once known as a race for sprinters, times have definitely changed and this year the sprinters had to wait to the fourth stage before they could realistically hope of a chance to show their speed.

However, it wasn't to be for Kittel who showed good form when he beat Andre Greipel in the sprint in the People's Choice Classic prior to the stage. Orica-GreenEDGE upped the pace in the crosswinds near the day's only climb and the combination of ascent and wind was enough to split the peloton, with Kittel and most of his Giant-Shimano teammates ending in the second group.

Sports director Addy Engels regretted the lost opportunity.

“We had today down as a sprint opportunity but the opportunity soon disappeared as the race blew to pieces over the top of the day’s climb with 50km to go," he said. “A group of about 50 riders pulled away and Simon [Geschke] was the only one to make the front split. The guys tried to close the gap but never made contact."

Kittel will now focus his attentions on Sunday's flat criterium in Adelaide but first up is tomorrow's queen stage to the top of the Willunga Hill. After Simon Geschke lost all GC opportunities yesterday, the team will now have to find out how to handle the stage.

"Tomorrow will be a tough day with Willunga Hill, we will see how the guys are feeling in the morning and make a plan for the queen stage," Engels said.

Geschke was the team's best finisher on today's stage in 19th. He is 17th overall, 1.17 behind leader Cadel Evans (BMC).