Overview
- The Decathlon CMA CGM rider edged Matthew Brennan and Sam Welsford to win the 120.6km opener in Tanunda.
- He leads overall by one second over prologue winner Sam Watson, with Ethan Vernon a further second behind.
- Welsford said he was "stuck in the barriers" in the chaotic dash to the line after Ineos dedicated its lead-out to him.
- Bahrain Victorious' Max van der Meulen was taken to hospital after a heavy crash with the team reporting he was conscious, and Tudor's Marius Mayrhofer abandoned.
- Defending champion Jhonatan Narváez grabbed early bonus seconds before a stage on Thursday with two ascents of Corkscrew Road and a finish in Uraidla.