Tuesday, 16 January 2018: After finishing second to German Andre Greipel on stage one of the Tour Down Under, Australian Caleb Ewan says he needs to show more patience.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 15: Australian cyclist Caleb Ewan of the Orica - Scott team celebrates after winning the People's Choice Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images

School's in for Caleb Ewan ahead of his Tour de France debut and so far this week the lessons are hard to take.

The young Australian cycling ace unleashed his sprint too early at the end of stage one in the Tour Down Under.

German star Andre Greipel timed his sprint to perfection at Lyndoch in the Barossa, easily overhauling Ewan at the line.

It follows Ewan's third place on Sunday at the People's Choice Classic street race.

But Ewan is lapping up the experience before July and his much-anticipated start at the Tour de France.

Asked what he could take from Tuesday's first stage, Ewan replied: "probably to be a little more patient.

"I'm really happy with how the team (Mitchelton-Scott) rode today, they did a perfect leadout, and it was my fault I couldn't hold on in the end."

Ewan is part of a strong group of sprinters at this year's Tour, with world champion Peter Sagan and Italian Elia Viviani also in the field.

He is using the Adelaide Tour as invaluable education for when the stakes are much higher later this year.

"The sprint field here is better than it's been for the last few years," he said.

"I'm happy for it to be like that because I'm going to be racing these guys in some of the more serious races coming up.

"I will be analysing these sprints and seeing where their weaknesses may be."

Compatriot Will Clarke was also left cursing his judgment, after he missed out on maximum king of the mountain points during the stage.

The Drapac rider had a good day, featuring prominently in the breakaway and then staying away by himself until the last 10km.

He was the obvious choice for the most competitive rider award.

But Clarke wanted the top intermediate KOM points, which went instead to breakaway companion Nicholas Dlamini.

"I sort of waited a bit too long and then totally stuffed it up really. It was a bit annoying," Clarke said.

But Clarke then won the two intermediate sprints during stage one, meaning the Drapac rider is third overall behind Greipel and Ewan.