Porte masters Willunga Hill to claim TDU stage five

All week everyone was saying Richie Porte was the strongest man in the Tour Down Under. On Saturday he proved it with a superb win in the stage to Willunga Hill.

Porte took the best his rivals had to throw at him and slammed the door in their faces as her left them for dead over the final two kilometres.

He now holds a 48 second lead over Colombian Esteban Chaves heading into Sunday's final stage.

In the end Porte cruised to victory, his fourth consecutive win in the stage.

Porte's major aim is a podium finish in July at the Tour de France, after last year's fifth placing.

"I tell you what, that hurt more than the other three I've won up here," Porte said.

"It was incredible teamwork today.

"This is not an easy climb - to win it is great for morale.

"For me, the biggest goal this year is July, the Tour de France, and things are going well."

After a concerted effort reeled in a breakaway with five kilometres remaining, the race got down to business.

Orica-Scott had a handful of riders towards the front while Porte had only Rohan Dennis of the BMC squad to lend him support.

Despite the best efforts of his rivals, this day belonged to the 31-year-old Tasmanian.

The Tour Down Under field in action during stage five on Saturday. (AAP)

For the second straight day, New Zealander Jack Bauer was part of a long breakaway.

In an impressive sign of his strength and fitness for this time of the year, Bauer held the virtual lead of the race for a large part of the stage.

The Quick-Step Floors rider was joined by King of the Mountains jersey wearer Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal), Australian William Clarke (Cannondale Drapac) and Frenchman Jeremy Maison (FDJ).

The four leaders still led by almost two minutes after the field had passed over the top of Willunga Hill for the first of two ocassions for the day.

Bouyed on by huge crowds, the chasing pack were led by the BMC, Orica -Scott, Team Sky and Movistar teams.

The Tour Down Under will end with a 90km circuit races through Adelaide on Sunday afternoon, where sprint king Caleb Ewan will chase a fourth stage win of the six-day event.