"On this team we're all good friends and we work hard to help each other.
"It's unbelievable. It's been a dream two days for us. It really doesn't get any better than this.''
Despite having no yellow jersey contender in their nine-man team Orica-GreenEdge were overjoyed at a prestigious collective win which means Gerrans will wear yellow into Wednesday's stage from Cagnes-sur-Mer to Marseille.
With no time bonuses on offer at the end of each day's stage, the former Australian champion could also realistically keep the race lead until the start of two Pyrenean stages beginning Saturday.
Omega-Pharma had set the early pace in a time of 25min 57sec thanks in large part to the talents of Germany's world champion in the discipline, Tony Martin.
However despite the high hopes the Belgian outfit was pushed into second by Orica's winning time of 25:56.
The Sky team of overall race favourite Chris Froome finished third on the stage at 3secs off the winning pace, with his yellow jersey rival Alberto Contador coming over the finish with his Saxo Bank team a further six seconds off the pace.
Froome said Sky had been happy to finish high up without taking the lead of the race, that would have forced them into using precious energy protecting the yellow jersey.
"The main objective of today was to come through without having lost any time on the big contenders, but we've actually come through it having gained a bit of time. So that's a fantastic thing,'' said the Kenyan-born Briton.
Despite losing six seconds to Froome, Contador was buoyed by a team performance which he said has given him assurances about his form.
"I think it was a good day for us. Of course it's always better if you finish in front of all your rivals, but if you look at the GC we are in contention,'' said the Spaniard.
"I'm very happy because the team gave 100 percent. We are only four stages in, and I'm getting better every day. My aim is to be in perfect condition for the Pyrenees.''
