André Greipel (Columbia) (Image credit: Mark Gunter)
Tour Down Under stage one victor André Greipel was content with his sprint finish win on Tuesday in Mawson Lakes.
"With the successful launch, of course, I'm very satisfied," said a pleased Greipel of Team Columbia after beating Baden Cooke (UniSA), Stuart O'Grady (Team Saxo Bank) and prologue winner Robbie McEwen (Team Katusha) to the line.
Commenting on the extremely hot conditions, he said, "At temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius, the team has worked perfectly." He credited his success to the sprint train practice he and his teammates had been "extensively rehearsing" in training prior to the race.
Greipel, now atop the general classification by five seconds going into stage two, still has his eye on defending his overall Tour Down Under title from last year's race. "It is up to those in the leader's jersey to defend in the next stages, and tomorrow, in particular, will not be easy. There are three mountains and a tough finale that will require all our strength and concentration. However, I am very motivated. I will do my best."
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