Could this be the decisive stage? 2 ascents up Willunga Hill
J.Martins, Fahnert, CIoban, Creed, Brandt and Traksel are the break
Chasing them are Van Ooijen, Tolleson and Belda.
In the sole intermediate sprint of the day, it is no surprise that Traksel is the strongest and takes 6 pts
Behind them, the chasing trio are determined to catch up and pushing hard
After quite some time, they do eventually make the junction
With 78km to go, the gap is 4 minutes and theres an attack from the peleton. Landaluze launches it, Rovira and Bewley follow and the Kiwi is the strongest - not waiting for the other 2
We now approach and begin the first ascent of Willunga Hill as Fahnert moves forward to put some pressure on the rest of the break
As we approach the top there is a move from Van Ooijen which Fahnert matches. Both start the day on 5 KoM pts, the winner of this climb takes the provisional KoM lead - and Fahnert takes it
Landaluze and Rovira caught up with Bewley on the climb. Now descending Willunga, just under a minute behind the break but only just over a minute ahead of the peleton
On the flat inbetween the Willunga climbs, some more attacks, led by Van den Broeck
Pasamontes, Klimiankov, Corioni, and Rooijackers follow
Onto the climb now as Sulzberger, Van Heerden and Devenyns go
More attacks now, including Rast, Carrara and Wegmann
The break has split up front with Fahnert, Traksel, Brandt, Cioban and Creed in the lead
But Creed then goes solo
Devenyns, Wegmann and Rooijackers chase but with so many attacks, most have inevitably come to nothing and been swallowed by the pack.
Wegmann's group catches the group behind Creed, he moves towards the front alongside teammate Brandt
More attacks now! Van Garderen and Kirchen!
Creed takes the points at the top of the climb as Fahnert attacks through for 2nd to confirm the KoM jersey
Here goes Kirchen though, continuing to attack, right past Creed
Koren, Creed, Wegmann, Van Garderen, Brandt and Fahnert chase Kirchen
The Luxembourg rider isnt going to wait, and presses on as we ride the flat section on top of Willunga
More attacks from the peleton now, Van den Broeck followed by Herve, Goss and Sulzberger
The chasing group is swallowed up as Van den Broeck descends in chase of Kirchen
10km to go as Kirchen leads, Van den Broeck chases, and then comes the peleton
And Van den Broeck now catches Kirchen
6km to go and some riders are not ready to let the duo decide the stage and race. Rooijackers, Sulzberger once again and the race leader Juan van Heerden!
Wes Sulzberger has caught the leading pair!
And if that was noit enough, he powers into the lead
Van den Broeck and Kirchen will be wondering just how that happened, their hopes for a win have all-but gone just like that
Under the flamme rouge, the crowd roar as Sulzberger poweres down the finishing straight
Victory for the Australian! But will he get Yellow?
Van den Broeck edges out Kirchen for 2nd. Rooijackers is 4th while Gasparotto leads in the break.
The 20 second time bonus leaves Sulzberger 6 seconds short of Van Heerden, he needs to be awarded a gap. And as Van den Broeck crossed the line it looked like he must just have done enough - and he had! Theres an Aussie leading the Tour Down Under with 1 stage to go.
