Today's stage is in some ways like the first. However, on this occasion the final climb is shorter and steeper. I could make a move there.

The break consisted of 5 riders. Kern once again was in it, obviously trying to get the mountain points.

The break stayed away solidly all day, but as the climb started, the gap was thinning.

As the climb ramped up, the break was in view ahead. If you look at the front, that's not me. Slagter had positioned himself perfectly in the front with Bauer, but I was coming up the left, as Dennis struggled to keep up.

I went to the front and started putting on the pressure. Before I knew it, we were at the summit. And I had a small gap!

I got into an aero tuck and descended. I've never been very good at I, but I had the gap and I sill felt fresh, so I had to see if it would hold.

But somewhere on that climb, the break had pulled a lead back out! It was down to three: Belkov, Kern, and Puccio.

The leaders were under the red kite and I was spiriting close behind. I was giving it all I had. I hadn't looked back in a couple of kilometers. All I could do was hope I had a gap!

Belkov took it from the break over Puccio and Kern. I was so close to their group!

I crossed the line a few lengths off of Kern's wheel. Finally time to look back...

Gallopin led the pack home after me. But had I gotten a time gap? And if so, how much? I stood by waiting for the word.

Yes! They had counted me in the breakaway's time! And I had gotten 37 seconds to the pack! What a lucky break!

With Wilunga hill a stage away I am in prime condition for the GC! In 3rd, I only have Belkov and Puccio in front of me, with my nearest competitor after 26 seconds behind! See you for stage 4!

Today's stage is pretty flat, with no defining climbs. Should be a sprint. But this TDU has been anything but predictable.

With the stage seemingly being pretty easy, the team was allowed free attacking until the break was formed. And formed it was, with Jack getting in the mix. This was an easy way to avoid needing to pace. Instead, we left that up to Sky and the race lead.

But the plan wasn't fool proof. Jack got fatigued from all the brilliant work he had done the last few days, and the high winds caused him to fall off. The team went straight to the front.

The pace was stepped up, and the winds did too. Slowly all the team's valiant domestiques pulled back and cracked, and I was directly in the wind. Well if they could do it I could. I went into the wind, but I could feel myself starting hit the wall.

All of a sudden another pale blue jersey appeared in front of me. Slagter looked back into my face. "Let's go," he said. He threw his hands over his bars and pulled me out to the side. We started making our way back up the pack.

Meanwhile up front, Lotto had the perfect leadout. This time it was for Boeckmans, with Gallopin as the last helper in line.

Gallopin pulled off and it was Boeckman's, with Barry Markus on his wheel and Marcato trying to close the gap behind.

Boeckmans was fading fast as Markus and Marcato went. But out of the blue on the right Francesco Gavazzi came surging past!

Gavazzi took it as the sprint evened up behind! He came from nowhere with no help!

Slagter had gotten me to the front, and I gave it a dig at the end in the sprint!

It was enough to get me another top 5! And in a straight sprint! The physical drain of these stages has really made selection of who can finish well!

The GC didn't change at all.

Tomorrow is Wilunga Hill! That is what makes or breaks the race for me and the team! See you then!

This is it! Wilunga Hill! Let's hope the team and I can deliver!

The stage started with the peloton panned across the road, nobody wanting to pace or attack from the gun.

But the breakaway did get away eventually, though no notables were in it.

As the highest race favorite, we needed the break to be back, so we had our whole team on the front for most of the race.

With about 40 km to go the break was easily caught, but another group countered to the left.

We hit Wilunga hill for the first time and I hit the front. Slagter stayed in front of me to pull me forward, but we weren't really stirring anything up.

As we went over the top the next break had been caught and I led them over. I had to take a backseat though until the final climb. Otherwise, I'd be gassed.

But another large group went away straight after. With no teammates left besides a tired Slagter I couldn't pace. luckily, Sky did.

And so that break was caught again. And Nordhaug led another counter off to the right! I just had to keep patient.

Santomarita attacked at the base of the climb, and I put the pressure on. As I reached him, I realized that no one was holding my wheel!

1 km to go. I just put my head down and surged, ringing in my ears drowning out the race behind me.

I had the gap! the field wasn't going to catch me!

And I took it! My first win of the 2014 season!

Gallopin led the pack home, a whole 48 seconds after me!

A stood on the podium and soaked it all in. What a way to start the season!

This leaves me 45 seconds over my nearest competitor, Belkov. With the flat Adelaide stage tomorrow, it's going to be hard to loose the jersey now!

Well, time to wrap it up. Stage 6 is the last one tomorrow. See you there!