The ORICA-Scott rider impressed at last year’s edition of the race, which is the opening event of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour, and has now matched his 2016 haul of two stage wins.

Belgium’s Thomas de Gent was joined in a breakaway by Norway’s Vegard Stake Laegen, along with the French duo of Clement Chevrier and Jeremy Masion, in the early stages of the 144 kilometre route from Glenelg.

The quartet would remain together for the majority of the stage, but with the peloton starting to close in, Laegen launched a solo bid for victory with less than 30km of racing remaining.

He would be swept up by the field inside the final six kilometres, which ensured a sprint finish would take place.

Ewan continued to display his superb early season form, with the 22-year-old sprinting to victory in a time of 3 hours, 24min and 45sec.

The Australian had pulled past Slovakia’s Sagan in the closing metres, with the Bora-Hansgrohe rider forced to settle for a second place finish.

"I lost a few of my team-mates in the downhill and it was a messy sprint," said Ewan.

"Luke Durbridge took me back to the front with three or four kilometres to go and he positioned me perfectly in the end.

"I was jumping around the wheels and I'm delighted I made it again."

Australia’s Richie Porte remains in the overall race lead, with the BMC Racing team leader avoiding crashes in the closing kilometres.

He has a 20 second advantage over Gorka Izagirre, but the Spaniard's participation in tomorrow's stage could be under threat after a late crash.

Colombia’s Esteban Chaves is third, a further two seconds further back.