Greipel takes over in Knokke-Heist

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Omega Pharma-Lotto sprinter André Greipel prevailed in the first full stage of the Tour of Belgium. Greipel topped Skil-Shimano's Kenny Van Hummel to win the stage, and in doing so stripped Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil) of the race leader's jersey.

The German bided his time in the final uphill sprint to the line, letting Van Hummel open up the sprint and then handily overpowering him before the line.

"It was pretty nervous, with attacks the last 5km everywhere - the team they did an awesome job, trying to be in the breakaway or close the breakaways," Greipel said on Sporza. "In the last kilometer on the coast it felt like the wind came from everywhere - there was no slipstream at all. I think everybody was full gas in the last 600m, I could have a little bit power left and could finish it off. I'm really happy with the team and with me."

The final attack came from Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), who was caught only in the last 300m. Greipel said he was unsure of whether they had caught everyone before the sprint.

"I didn't know who was up there who wasn't. It was all the time nervous."

The Omega Pharma-Lotto man was even caught out by a split in the strong crosswinds with 50km to go, but was lucky enough to ride the Quick Step chase to rejoin the front group in order to contest the sprint victory - his second win in Flanders this season after a win in the first stage of the Driedaagse De Panne - Koksijde, where he also held the leader's jersey for a day.

"This was our goal to win a stage and try to support me in this stage, especially today. We have a strong team here. if you have teammates like that you can be happy to finish it off."

The 162.5km stage from Lochristi to Knokke-Heist set off under threatening skies and strong winds along the coast. Belgian hard man Niko Eeckhout (An Post - Sean Kelly) put in the first attack, but with the high speeds in the first hour, it was a while before the day's breakaway could be established.

The lucky five were Kurt Hovelynck (Donckers Koffie - Jelly Belly), Steven Van Vooren (Topsport Vlaannderen-Mercator), Kenny Terweduwe (An Post - Sean Kelly), Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea) and Frederic Amorison (Landbouwkrediet).

The quintet's gap quickly ballooned to six minutes, but as the wind changed it was equally as rapidly reduced. The leaders were swept up by a reduced peloton on the completion of the first lap. The lead group included Quick Step's Tom Boonen and Omega Pharma-Lotto's Philippe Gilbert, but Boonen soon flatted out of the move. Race leader Lieuwe Westra was absent from the front, and had to put a great deal of effort into the chase.

Gilbert tried to push the lead group to stay clear, but Quick Step drove a furious pace to bring Boonen back into contention. Greg Van Avermaet launched several attacks in the finale to try and foil the sprinters, but coming to the line with 300m to go he was caught, and too soon Van Hummel opened the sprint. Greipel sped past him to snatch the race lead, while Maxime Vantomme pipped Boonen for third.

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