Richie Porte pulled out one of the best rides of his career to take victory on stage five of the Tour Down Under. The Tasmanian unleashed a stinging attack with 1.2 kilometres to go to clinch victory on Willunga Hill for the second year in a row.

Porte’s initial acceleration put all his rivals into difficulty, but with the ochre jersey of Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing) clinging to his wheel, the Team Sky rider had to dig even deeper to offload the race leader.

Taking the win by nine seconds on the queen stage, Porte moved up to second place overall but came up a tantalising two seconds short on Dennis.

Team Sky had opted to sit back for much of the 151.5km test but were forced to push hard as crosswinds split the peloton briefly on the run to the final climb.

Luke Rowe and Pete Kennaugh helped bring things back together, before Geraint Thomas set the early pace on the famous climb.

Porte then did the rest, tearing apart a sizeable group of riders and setting up an intriguing final day in Adelaide. Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) was unable to hold Porte’s wheel but sits third, 20 seconds back.

Mixed emotions

Despite taking out his second victory of the season, Porte admitted after the stage that he had been going all out for the race lead.

“I don’t think I quite got the jersey, which is a bit disappointing,” he said. “My team were fantastic today. Full credit to Rohan. I gave it to him as hard as I could but it just wasn’t quite to be. I’m very happy to win the stage. It’s a great way to start the year. I had a rough season last year so it’s just nice to get off to a good start.

“I know this climb quite well. It suits me a lot better than the stage at Paracombe. I was hoping to finish it off here but it’s so nice to win on this stage. Today it was like riding a stage of the Tour or the Giro.

"I am a fair bit lighter than last year when I won the stage here. I am not massive on the whole maths side of things but I sat down with our sports scientist last night and we went through the numbers of it. At the end of the day, you still have to have a bit of ticker and how could you not with a crowd like that. It was like being at a stage at the Giro or Tour.

"This is probably the stage to win. The crowd was absolutely amazing and I think it shows the legacy that Cadel’s left.

"It was actually easier this year going up the climb and I attacked where I wanted to attack. I was told when I hit them don't look back, I looked back and there wasn't many there. I saw Cadel shaking his head and that’s when I thought dig in and go for it. I actually felt really good until 300 metres to go.

"I am in a much better mindset this year. I was much more professional in the off-season and I am healthy and so motivated going into this season. People are always going to say 'you've peaked early' but I haven't done anything but ride my bike and watch my diet. I was recently engaged and I feel like I am growing up. I think in two months' time if I go and win Paris-Nice it will make up for it for sure.  It is a good way to start my preparation for the Giro."

"To be honest, it is a big disappointment to be at two seconds. Credit to him, the way that he won the stage the other day, he took the race on and he totally deserves it.

"He has a big future and I asked him if I could swap the national time trial jersey but he shook his head. I hope we both have a good season.

"The race isn't over just yet and we will take it as it comes tomorrow. It is going to be hard but I haven't lost the tour. I am second and very happy with how today went. The team was fantastic and it's a nice way to start the season off."

Team Sky director Kurt-Asle Arvesen was concentrating on the positive outcome.  

“We are absolutely happy with how the team rode today,” said Arvesen. “Everyone was supporting Richie and we were committed for the entire stage. 

“We believed from the start we could win this race,” he said. “Maybe now we will be second, but we are very happy. 

“What was important today is that when Richie attacked, he attacked, he didn’t stop and look around, but that he was committed to the attack all the way to the line.”