Old Willunga Hill, Tour Down Under, stage five

Returning for a second year, Old Willunga Hill represented the Queen stage of the 2013 Tour Down Under with a double ascent of the fierce climb on Australia Day (January 26). As the name suggests, Old Willinga Hill is not a mountain, but while it may not reach the heights of some of the Grand Tours’ feared climbs, its short, sharp, three kilometre ascent, with an average gradient of 7.6 per cent, should not be underestimated – particularly when it has to be climbed twice.

With huge crowds lining the route, and in celebratory mood, the second ascent of the hill had already accounted for Geraint Thomas’ (Team Sky) ochre jersey bid as he tired in the final 500m and saw his overall lead slip away. Home favourite, Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEDGE), had been denied on the same stage in 2012, pipped on the line by Alejandro Valverde, but this time the Aussie ace would not be denied. Having escaped the leading group inside the final kilometre, with only Tom-Jelte Slagter (Blanco Pro Cycling) for company, Gerrans outsprinted his young rival to send the Australian fans into raptures on their national day of celebration.