Rohan Dennis upstaged BMC teammate and race favorite Cadel Evans to take the third stage of the Tour Down Under and claim the ochre leader's jersey on Thursday.

Dennis took the overall lead from ­fellow South Australian Jack Bobridge, who faded to finish 42 seconds back on the 143.2-­kilometer stage from Norwood to the tiny town of Paracombe.

Former Tour de France winner Evans is riding his last race before retiring.

Another race favorite, Tasmanian Richie Porte (Sky), finished 5 seconds behind Dennis alongside a group of ­riders including Frenchman Maxime Bouet (Etixx-Quick Step) and Italy's Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale).

Friday's 144.5-kilometer fourth stage runs from beachside Glenelg to the ­Adelaide Hills town of Mt Barker.