Jack Bobridge's stunning stage win at the Tour Down Under means the Australian cycling star has big decisions to make.
Bobridge had planned to use the Adelaide race to finalise preparations for his hour world record attempt in Melbourne on January 31.
But his first stage win in the Tour also gave him the overall lead.
The local rider admits he must give this opportunity everything - even if it tires him ahead of the hour ride.
Asked if Tuesday's ride and its consequences might affect his world record bid, Bobridge replied: "that's the big question".
"I came here to finalise my hour record preparation, not to try to destroy it,"he said.
"But when you have a chance like that today, you can't take this away from anything."
The 25-year-old Adelaide rider was in a four-rider breakaway that stayed away for most of the stage and then defied the script.
Instead of being caught near the finish, as expected, the quartet held off the peloton in the 132.6km stage from Tanunda to suburban Campbelltown.
Riding for the composite UniSA team, Bobridge outsprinted Dutchman Lieuwe Westra (Astana) at the finish for his first stage win at the Tour.
Australian Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEDGE) was third and Russian Maxim Belkov (Katusha) was fourth, with the bunch breathing down their necks.
Time bonuses mean Bobridge will take a four-second lead over Westra into Wednesday's stage from Unley to the Adelaide Hills town of Stirling.
"We expected a bit more from the sprinters' teams in the end, but it's their loss, not ours," said race favourite Cadel Evans.
The BMC team leader finished 20th and fellow overall contender Richie Porte (Sky) also stayed out of trouble to be 26th.
Bobridge had a WorldTour contract with Dutch team Belkin until last year.
He is now riding for domestic team Budget Forklifts and is concentrating on the track ahead of the Rio Olympics.
"I've struggled I guess the last few years," he said.
"Everything fell into place today and I pulled it off."
UniSA team director Dave Sanders said Bobridge had a lot of unrealised potential.
It's huge - Jacky Bobridge is a super star, and always has been and always will be," Sanders said.
"This is just a glimpse of the next part of his career.
"For him and the team, this is huge."
Bobridge certainly has started the year well, finishing third in the time trial and sixth in the road race at this month's road nationals.
Local knowledge played a massive part in the break's success.
When they crested the bushfire-scarred Checkers Hill within 30km of the finish, they only led by about a minute.
But Durbridge and Bobridge have ridden countless training hours on Gorge Rd, which was the route to the finish.
"I just said to Jack 'it's like the track days mate, let's get into it, hey?'," Durbridge said.
"And that's what we did."
Durbridge holds the young rider's jersey, while Bobridge also leads the king of the mountain and sprint classifications.
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