Team Ineos duo Rohan Dennis and Dylan van Baarle were steering Richie Porte when he launched an attack and won the Paracombe climb on Thursday's Tour Down Under stage 3. However, they did not follow Porte, but kept their own pace and maintained a sustainable pursuit.

Dennis finished in fourth place, five seconds behind, and Van Barre finished in seventh place with the same time. Teammate Pavel Sivakov finished in 21st place, 23 seconds behind, and took the best young rider's jersey, despite some confusion about the age limit for the white jersey.

Dennis praised Porte's attack, but did not acknowledge his defeat in this year's Tour Down Under. Porte lost time in the final section, which was exposed to a strong headwind, and only earned a stage win bonus of 5 plus 10 seconds. He now leads Darryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott) by 6 seconds, with Rob Power (Team Sunweb) in third at 9 seconds. Dennis is 15 seconds back in ninth place, and van Baarle is one place behind with the same time.

"Richie in the Tour Down Under was a classic. 'His first kicks during this period were impressive. We were on his wheels but he just kept going and going."

Dennis also looked for the positive aspects of the day.

"We almost caught him. This gives me a lot of confidence at Willunga Hill. We could slowly pull him back and get him back. It's at least a possibility," he said. [Richie and Trek-Segafredo have to control the race. I was fourth and Darryl [Impey] was sixth, a few seconds behind him. Ritchie will lose the jersey before Willunga Hill and then it will be another battle for time bonuses. With finishes at Murray Bridge and Victor Harbor (stages 4 and 5), wind will be a big factor and I think the ochre jersey will still be up for grabs. The Imps will certainly be gunning for them.

Dennis was happy when he caught up to the peloton after a flat tire late in stage 2. The ups and downs of the Adelaide Hills on stage 3 were unforgiving, and he rode more cautiously, knowing that his early season form is very fickle.

"I wasn't in great shape today, so I took a step back and tried to use as little energy as possible. I had to run with myself and save as much energy as I could. But it was a hard day and it gave me more confidence going into Willunga."