Israel Premier Tech has been talking all week about having options in the Tour Down Under, and its strength in the depth of those options was on display on the summit of Willunga Hill on stage 5.

Corbin Strong was the team's "primary leader," but on Saturday the peloton abandoned with stomach problems before the first of two of the most iconic climbs of the six-day Tour.

"He's been sick the last three or four days, so we had to change our plans a little bit," sport director Sam Bury said after stage 5, which was won by Oscar Only (dsm-firmenich PostNL).

The team had expected him to leave. Stephen Williams finished the stage in second place behind Only and took the ochre leader's jersey from his British compatriot on countback.

"We knew Stevie was in good shape and this climb suited him perfectly. All we had to do was prepare for the final climb," said Bury.

"In Willunga, it's always the last 800m that decides the race. Unless you're Richie Porte, the riders who try earlier than that, even Richie Porte, the riders generally come back to them. So we were patient, we knew there was going to be an attack, but we told everyone to be patient and wait for the 800m. And from there, one big push and it's always going to be a sprint race."

Simon Yates (Jayco Alula) took the lead on the final climb up Willunga and attacked in the last kilometer, but was unable to break away from a six-man group that included Only and Williams.

"I'm very emotional. I knew it was going to be a close race, and obviously we had the same time, so we won on countback," Williams said of winning the ochre.

At the post-race press conference, the 27-year-old Williams gave a quick glance to the team's press officer before answering a question about the conspicuous police presence around the Israel Premier Tech convoy at the start and finish of the stage. He said that this security was due to a pro-Palestinian rally that did not interfere with the Tour, but it was not a distraction.

Asked about the strategy he and sporting director Darryl Impey, a two-time winner of the Tour Down Under, will employ in Sunday's finale at Mount Lofty, Bury was candid.

"Let's win the Tour Down Under with Stevie Williams.

"He's a modest guy. He was plagued by injuries early in his career and came to us last year, but he's a super good bike rider. He won the Arctic Tour of Norway last year, and he's been riding well in a lot of other races."

"He is the future of this team. He can win races like this. He shows us that what we believe in is true.

The faith in Williams was also evidenced by the climber's reference to the team when asked about the final stage that decided the title.

"It's going to be a pretty stressful day," he said. But my team is experienced and graceful, so we will do our best for the title."

Bury is confident that his experienced team, which includes George Bennett and Simon Clark, has the manpower to defend their race lead and win the title, but he is not yet pleased.

In the overall standings, the rivals are closely matched. Only is second with the same time, Honatan Narvaez (Ineos Grenadiers) is third, and Isaac Del Toro (UAE Emirates), who led the race overnight, is fourth, both five seconds behind. Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quickstep), Bart Lemmen (Vimalise a Bike), and Yates are 13 seconds off the lead.

"The Tour Down Under is always a close race every year," Yates said. "That's why the bonus seconds are so important, and we were lucky to get Stevie to give us a 4-second lead on the second stage. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day. Obviously, we're going to hold on to it and go for the win, but we still have a lot of road ahead of us.

"If Stevie finishes in the same time as the top group, we won't need bonus seconds. Get unlimited access to all coverage of the Tour Down Under and Women's Tour Down Under, including reports, breaking news, and analysis from Australia. Details.