Andre Greipel entered the record books today as the most prolific stage winner in the 15-year history of the Santos Tour Down Under.
The German powerhouse thundered across the line to notch win number 13 in the town of Tanunda.
It’s Greipel’s third win this week. He grabbed glory in Sunday’s People’s Choice Classic, the curtain-raiser for the Tour, before equalling the 12 stage wins record of Australian star Robbie McEwen in the L’Oreal Men Expert Stage 1 on Tuesday in Lobethal.
Today he unleashed a burst of speed that none of his rivals could match at the end of the 126.5km Bupa Stage 4 from Modbury to the Barossa town.
“There was a bit of crosswind and then the headwind in the last two kilometres, it was pretty messy,” said Greipel. “The team did a good job to keep in the front. We did the perfect leadout again. We work good together. It’s just nice to have those teammates.
“First I am thinking about the air conditioning in the hotel,” said the two-time Santos Tour Down Under champion when asked whether he can add to his tally in Sunday’s final stage, traditionally decided in a bunch sprint. “Tomorrow I will try to rest and then think about Sunday.”
He crossed the line in a time of 3:02:52 ahead of Italian Roberto Ferrari (Lampre-Merida) and Queensland’s Jonathan Cantwell (Saxo-Tinkoff). – cyclingtips
