Michael Matthews lost his chance to win the overall at the Santos Tour Down Under, losing 2:13 to stage 2 winner Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma).

Matthews regretted the time loss, saying it was due to contact with another rider with 22km to go, dropping his chain and forcing him to stop to change bikes.

Matthews and his teammate Jayco Alula tried to chase Victor Haber to the finish, but were unable to close the gap as the battle for the overall win exploded ahead of them.

Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-Easy Post) also suffered from cramps and was separated, making Dennis the new race leader.

Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadiers) apologized sportingly to the Australians after the race, admitting that he hit Matthews and made contact with a wheel after being hit by another rider. The two had a conversation across the finish line in Victor Harbor.

"There was a rider who hit me and he happened to be right next to me. I think our wheels made a little contact."

"I apologized right at the finish line. Unfortunately, it's part of racing. It was not my intention at all. I apologized to him and tried to speak frankly with him."

"I was very sorry to him.

Matthews was too emotional and too disappointed to see it that way.

"I don't know what's going on in cycling these days. There is no respect in the group," Matthews said immediately after the stage.

"The team rode well all day and I did well in the two intermediate sprints. I was in a good position on the last climb and got hit from one side and then the other. I dropped my chain and it got caught between the frame and the cranks.

"I was lucky to have some riders at the front to help me out and I was able to make up some time.

Matthews was closing in on the race lead with a 3-second bonus second in the intermediate sprint; losing 2:13, Matthews fell outside the top 50 overall.

Fortunately for Jayco Alura, Simon Yates was joined by Dennis and Jay Wein (UAE Team Emirates), Mauro Schmidt (Soudal-Quick Step), Simon Yates (Jayco Alura), Jai Hindley ( Bora-Hansgrohe) to be able to enter the attack with them.

Yates is currently in 12th place overall, 21 seconds behind Dennis before Friday's third stage to Campbelltown, which has a Corkscrew Road climb in the last 10 km.

"I don't know exactly where he finished, but hopefully I'll finish higher up.