As expected, Stage 4 provided a shake-up to the GC standings and many had the likes of defending champion Richie Porte, BMC team-mate Rohan Dennis and Mitchelton-Scott's Daryl Impey as big favourites for victory on Stage 4. Peter Sagan came into his own, however, and took victory in a sprint finish.
The day started with yet another breakaway, and yet more inclusion of University of South Australia riders, this time in Zak Dempster (who ended up leading the race for almost the entire day) and team-mate Alex Porter - with the heat proving too much for Porter who dropped off with 45km to go.
The more obvious contenders then came into the frame with 20km to go, with Richie Porte and Lotto NL Jumbo's George Bennett attacking at the front of a 30 plus strong group. It had seemed that Sagan had kept enough energy in the bank to take the victory, and 4km to go (although unsuccessful) the popular Slovakian attacked on a downhill section after the ascent of the Norton Summit.
In the end, Sagan had enough energy to pip Mitchelton-Scott's Daryl Impey to victory and move into first place in the GC - just 2 seconds ahead of Mitchelton-Scott's South African, Impey.
Even with an unexpected victory from Sagan, this probably won't mean much to the GC with Saturday's stage involving two ascents of Willunga Hill, and a relatively mountainous stage throughout. Definitely not one for Peter the Great!
Stage 4 Results:
1 Peter Sagan (SVK) | Bora-Hansgrohe | 3:21:07
2 Daryl Impey (RSA) | Mitchelton-Scott
3 Luis León Sánchez (ESP) | Astana Pro Team
4 Diego Ulissi (ITA) | UAE Team Emirates
5 Jay McCarthy (AUS) | Bora-Hansgrohe
GC Standings after Stage 5:
1 Peter Sagan (SVK) | Bora-Hansgrohe | 14:19:49
2 Daryl Impey (RSA) | Mitchelton-Scott | +0:00:02
3 Jay McCarthy (AUS) | Bora-Hansgrohe | +0:00:09
4 Luis León Sánchez (ESP) | Astana Pro Team | +0:00:10
5 Diego Ulissi (ITA) | UAE Team Emirates | +0:00:14
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