Simon Gerrans warns Cadel Evans he means business as he reduces deficit to fellow Australian in TDU

AUSTRALIAN Simon Gerrans says the race for the Tour Down Under title is far from over and could go down to the wire.

Simon Gerrans (right), winning the first intermediate sprint, picked up crucial seconds to significantly reduce his deficit t...

AUSTRALIAN Simon Gerrans says the race for the Tour Down Under title is far from over and could go right down to the wire in Sunday's finale in Adelaide.

Newly crowned Australian road champion Gerrans must overcome a 7 sec deficit to fellow Australian Cadel Evans in the fifth and sixth stages on Saturday and Sunday to claim a third Tour crown.

In the fourth stage won by German speedster Andre Greipel and watched by Tour de France supremo Christian Prudhomme, Gerrans picked up crucial seconds in intermediate sprints to significantly reduce his deficit to Tour de France winner Evans.

It has set up a mouth-watering showdown in Saturday's Queen stage up Willunga Hill, south of Adelaide.

"As I've said time and time again, this race is won by seconds," Gerrans said

"I'm going to take every opportunity.

Cadel Evans on his way to retaining the ochre jersey after stage four. Picture: Sarah Reed

"It (the Tour) can definitely be lost on Willunga Hill, but not necessarily won.

"It could definitely come down to the final stage on Sunday."

Gerrans paid tribute to the strength of his Orica GreenEDGE team in the World Tour opener.

"We have some great climbers and we have some really good guys for the sprint stages," he said.

"Fortunately for us, we have most bases covered.

"Cadel really has to get rid of me tomorrow because I don't think he's going to want to go into the final stage with only a 7 sec advantage.

"He won't be the only one going for the stage win.

"If Cadel goes, I just have to try to get by him on the line and grab another couple of bonus seconds."