The 139 kilometre course from Glenelg to Campbelltown had been viewed as the first major test for the contenders for the overall victory, with the Corkscrew Road climb expected to be the launchpad for several attacks.

With the climb located at six kilometres to the finish, the vast majority of teams held back in the opening stages of the race as they looked to position their lead riders for the key run in.

Belgium’s Laurens De Vreese was one of few riders to make an attempt to escape the field on another blisteringly hot day, but as the race approached the 20 kilometre to go mark, the Astana cyclist was reeled in.

Pre-race predictions then proved to be accurate, as Colombia’s Sergio Henao and Australia’s Richie Porte ignited the race on the Corkscrew, with an elite group of 10 moving clear of the peloton.

Orica-GreenEdge’s Gerrans had managed to position himself within the lead group and eventually earned the narrowest of sprint victories against defending champion Dennis, crossing in 3 hours 37min 34sec.

“It was super tough going up to Corkscrew,” said Gerrans.

”There are obviously some good climbers in the race and I had to dig deep to stay up there.

“I’m just happy to get the win at the end.”

Having begun the stage five seconds adrift of the race leader Jay McCarthy, the 10 second time bonus Gerrans received for his victory catapulted him into the ochre jersey.

McCarthy, who ended fourth on the stage to earn two bonus seconds, is now three adrift of Gerrans.

Meanwhile, Dennis completes an Australian top three as the defending champion lies five seconds off the pace.

Following the completion of the stage, it was revealed that American rider Tyler Farrar had borrowed a spectators bike, following a crash, in order to complete the stage inside the time limit and remain in the race.

His team Dimension Data, the first African registered WorldTour team, tweeted "A big thanks to the spectator who lent Tyler Farrar his bike today, Tyler would be out of the @tourdownunder if it weren't for you mate."

Organisers confirmed afterwards that Farrar would remain in the race, with outside assistance normally resulting in a penalty for riders, and praised the sporting gesture of the fan.

Stage four will see the peloton tackle a 138km course from Norwood to Victor Harbor, with the race expected to end with a sprint finish.