Gerrans crossed the line in 3 hours 13min 59sec to snatch victory from Britain's Team Sky rider Ben Swift at the end of the 138-kilometres fourth stage from Norwood to Victor Harbor in an event that marks the start of this year's International Cycling Union WorldTour.

The three-time Tour Down Under champion has increased his advantage over fellow countryman Jay McCarthy to 14 seconds ahead of tomorrow’s Queen stage at Willunga.

"I really worked hard for this year’s event, put in a big pre-season so it’s nice the work is starting to pay off," said Orica-GreenEdge’s Gerrans.

The 35-year-old is well positioned to claim his fourth title, but the same could be said in 2014 for compatriot Cadel Evans, who held the lead going into the Queen stage only for Gerrans to edge him on the last climb and win overall a day later by one second.

"It’s better than I would have expected, that’s for sure," said Orica-GreenEdge’s director Matt White.

"[But] if you lose the wheel [on the final climb], look how Cadel lost the Tour.

"He was with Gerro with 350 metres to go, lost the wheel, lost by one second."

Orica-GreenEdge controlled today’s race up to the first intermediate sprint, which Gerrans won to increase his advantage by one second.

A three-man break, including Australians David Tanner and Pat Shaw and Frenchman Alexis Gougeard, went clear but was caught with 24km remaining. 

The pace up the climb proved too much for some and the peloton split with Gerrans and team-mate Daryl Impey in the front group of about 40 riders.

After Impey had delivered him to the finish, Gerrans dominated the sprint as Italy’s Giacomo Nizzolo of Trek–Segafredo claimed third spot ahead of McCarthy.  

Team Sky’s Sergio Henao of Colombia lies fifth in the general classification, 28 seconds off the pace, with BMC Racing’s Rohan Dennis of Australia in third, 18 seconds behind, and Cannondale’s Michael Woods of Canada in fourth, 24 seconds back.