André Greipel won stage 6 of the Santos Tour Down Under on Sunday in Adelaide, Australia. Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) was fastest to the line in a high-speed, criterium-style circuit race through the city.
Omega Pharma-Quick Step teammates Mark Renshaw and Andrew Fenn were second and third, respectively, in the 18-lap, 85-kilometer final leg.
Australian national champion Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) finished safely in the peloton to secure his record third overall win in the UCI WorldTour opener.
“Chapeau, I will say. When [leadout man] Marcel Sieberg went, it was incredibly fast. I just needed to stay on the wheel,” said Greipel. “For myself, I’m confident. I have fast legs and I’m looking forward to the next races.”
After a breakaway of three riders took each of the intermediate time bonuses on offer, five Orica riders escorted Gerrans into the final of 18 laps at the head of the race. Cannondale and Giant-Shimano soon swamped the Australian squad, looking to set up their fast men for the finale.
Lotto-Belisol took command, however, into the final 800 meters with three men in front of Greipel. There was no doubt the German champion would take top honors when he launched to the line with 200 meters to go to become a 16-time stage winner in the season opener.
“The guys did a fantastic job, not just a pretty good job,” Gerrans said of his Orica teammates.
After a tight battle for the ocre-colored leader’s jersey, former Tour de France champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) finished second overall and Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) was third, both at five seconds.
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