André Greipel and also Lotto Belisol has taken the first win of the season! The German champion was the fastest in the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under, from Unley to Victor Harbor. Teammate Jürgen Roelandts, who had perfectly pulled the sprint, finished second. Elia Viviani completed the top three.
15th stage win ever
After a start of the stage with many attacks Axel Domont and Cameron Wurf got a big enough gap for the break of the day. With about 50 km to go Orica GreenEdge and Lotto Belisol raised the tempo and with the help of the crosswind the peloton got split up. All six Lotto Belisol riders, Olivier Kaisen had abandoned the race, were present in the first part. Because of a late attack of Jan Bakelants and Serge Pauwels all escapees were caught only with 600 meters to go. Lotto Belisol perfectly set up the sprint and André Greipel finished it off. It’s his fifteenth stage win ever at the Tour Down Under.
Hansen hangs on to KOM jersey
Adam Hansen was third on the only climb of the day, after the two escapees, and hangs on to the KOM jersey. In GC he moves up one place. The Aussie is now 12th, still in the same time as the number seven. Tomorrow a tough final awaits with two times Willunga Hill, where the finish line is drawn. Sunday the decision will probably be made in a sprint again.
A collective performance
André Greipel: “For me this was the first real sprinter’s chance at the Tour Down Under. That today we not only take the stage win but also the second place with Jürgen Roelandts shows the strength of our team. This was a very strong collective performance. It was a nervous stage, with a lot of crosswind. At the right moment we raised the pressure which resulted in a split of the peloton. Of course I’m glad I could take my first victory. I knew the last climb and the final well, so I knew what we could expect. This well-deserved victory is great. The team is rewarded for its work. The confidence was there, but because of the victory we are all the more looking forward to the final stage on Sunday.”
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.