In the 2020 Tour Down Under, Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) gained a valuable three seconds in the intermediate sprint on Friday's fourth stage, Murray Bridge, to close to within three seconds of race leader Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo).

However, Porte still has the advantage after two days of racing, as Sunday's final stage will finish on Willunga Hill, which Porte has won the past six years.

While Impey can gain more seconds on Saturday's fifth stage to Victor Harbor, Porte is favored to win the stage to Willunga Hill and take the 10-second stage winner's time bonus to determine the overall winner.

Impey was two seconds ahead of Jasper Philipsen (UAE Team Emirates) and Porte's Trek-Segafredo teammate Mads Pedersen in the early intermediate sprint. Philipsen won the second intermediate sprint to take the blue points jersey, but Impey took another two seconds right behind him. Porte did not have the speed or physique to fight in the sprint, so he avoided exhaustion by staying on his wheels.

"I knew what to expect, so I didn't put Daryl in a situation where he would struggle in the sprint, but he can compete with a real sprinter on even terms.

"It's going to be a toss-up," Porte said, warning about Saturday's fifth stage.

"Historically this stage has been windy, but tomorrow it will be weaker than today. The finish will be sketchy again, but there's a hill in the second half that I think will change the dynamics. After that it's all the way to Willunga."

Impey lost the blue points jersey to Philipsen after the young Belgian finished third in the stage, but he has his eyes on the bigger prize and the ochre leader's jersey. It is almost within reach.

"You never know unless you try," Impey explained after the stage, confirming his and Mitchelton Scott's determination.

"We keep trying and doing our best. That's what I did today, and everybody sent me out there. I wanted more, but that's the way it is."

Impey is looking for his third straight win in the Tour Down Under; in 2018, he beat Porte thanks to a better stage position after tying for the time. Last year, he racked up enough bonuses to gain a 13-second lead over Porte. However, Porte has won both times on Willunga Hill and in the last four times as well, winning the overall in 2017.

"I'm going to take every chance I can get and take as many seconds as I can, but I don't know if it will be enough at Willunga. Sometimes even just one second is enough," Impey reminded reporters.

"In 2018, I finished with the same time as Richie, but if he wins another stage this year, he will get a 10-second time bonus and he will get the Tour. It's a hard fight, but I'll do my best."