Sheffield seventh after Willunga Hill

Magnus Sheffield battled hard on the famous Willunga Hill climb and sits seventh overall with one stage to go at Tour Down Under.

The American crossed the line eighth at the summit following some superb work during the day from his INEOS Grenadiers teammates.

Ben Swift quickly powered into the stage's four-man break on the route around McLaren Vale, yet all eyes would, as always, be on the two ascents of Willunga.

First time up it Swift's break was caught, with Michal Kwiatkowski putting in an acceleration with 23.6km to go. That move drew out the first attacks, with Connor Swift keeping the pace high over the top.

The Grenadiers worked hard to pull the race back together on the flat approach to the finale, causing a split in the bunch after placing five riders in a select move at the front. Geraint Thomas, Kwiatkowski and Sam Watson formed a lead-out onto the climb. Lucas Hamilton protected Sheffield, ensuring he was well positioned with the GC favourites onto early slopes.

Overnight leader Javier Romo (Movistar) attacked immediately as the road ramped upwards, yet in the final metres it would be Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) who took the victory, moving into the ochre jersey in the process.

Sheffield now sits 27 seconds back heading into Sunday’s flat Adelaide finale.