Von Hoff wins as crash almost ruins stage four of Tour Down Under

It was Von Hoff's first victory at the top level, with the Australian outpacing his rivals to take top spot on the podium ahead of Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) and Wouter Wippert (Drapac).

The huge crash took place on a fast descent into Mount Barker as two riders touched wheels with 300m to go. A large group was taken down and strewn across the road, but while the GC contenders were in the group they managed to get going quickly and not lose any time.

Rohan Dennis finished safely to keep his lead over BMC team-mate Cadel Evans in the general classification.

"Jack Bobridge was looking after me saying, 'be patient, be patient. I know these roads like the back of my hand'," Von Hoff said.

"I just trusted it then he delivered me in the final km under the banner and then I just sniveled and held the wheel of the trains."

1. Steele von Hoff (Aus) UniSA-Australia

2. Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica GreenEdge

3. Wouter Wippert (Ned) Drapac Professional Cycling

4. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling

5. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale

6. Niccolò Bonifazio (Ita) Lampre-Merida

7. Rudiger Selig (Ger) Team Katusha

8. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step

9. Eugenio Alafaci (Ita) Trek Factory Racing

10. Koen de Kort (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin

1. Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC Racing Team 13:41:34

2. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team +7"

3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin +9"

4. Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica GreenEdge +13"

5. Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky +15"

6. Michael Rogers (Aus) Tinkoff-Saxo "

7. Jack Haig (Aus) UniSA-Australia "

8. Maxime Bouet (Fra) Etixx - Quick-Step "

9. Rubén Fernandez (Spa) Movistar Team "

10. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale "