Simon Gerrans has won the Tour Down Under for the third time

ORICA-GreenEDGE's Simon Gerrans has created history as the first rider to claim three Tour Down Under crowns.

ORICA-GreenEDGE's Simon Gerrans has created history as the first rider to claim three Tour Down Under crowns.

Gerrans finished stage six near the leaders to win the tour by five seconds from Cadel Evans and Diego Ulissi.

Replay our coverage of Stage 6 below

German sprint machine Andre Greipel lived up to his favouritism for stage six when he powered across the line with arms raised in glory for his 16h stage win - the most in TDU history.

GALLERY: Best pictures from Stage 6

"It was a pretty nervous day - the race was still there to be won," said Gerrans, who led by one second going into the final stage.

"It is a huge honour to win the TDU and race for an Australian team on Australia Day - it does not get better."

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