Tom Jelte Slagter takes Tour Down Under race lead after stage five heroics

Tom Jelte Slagter powered into the box seat to win the Tour Down Under finishing just behind Simon Gerrans on stage five.

Seven riders were finally allowed clear after a prolonged battle, the peloton pronouncing themselves happy with the make-up of the move as the race settled back into a rhythm. After Bernhard Eisel set the pace early on behalf of Team Sky other teams eventually came through to work in a bid to shut down the break, Blanco particularly active on the front as the pace shot up. The break were finally reeled in as the peloton hit Old Willunga Hill for the first time, Team Sky taking the opportunity to re-assert their control as early attacks proved unfruitful. As predicted sparks flew second time up the ascent, with Tiago Machado (RadioShack-Leopard) the first of the big names to hit out, followed by Moreno as Boasson Hagen kept things in check. With the Norwegian used up, Thomas admitted he had no answer for the attacks that followed, telling Sky Sports after the stage: "The legs went with around 500 metres to go. "The boys did a great ride and then Edvald did a good turn at the end. I should have just swung over maybe and got someone else to work but I ended up pulling for a bit and I was a bit empty after that. Gerrans came past a bit too fast for me to get on his wheel and I went backwards from there. "Immediately afterwards you're pretty gutted you didn't get the win but when we get back tonight we'll see that we've got a lot of positives to take from this. It's the first race of the year and it's been a good week and a good start to the year."