German speedster Andre Greipel was first across the line in the Championships of Flanders one-day race on Friday -  taking his 2008 win total to a remarkable total of 14. Greipel took his latest victory in a bunch sprint after Columbia team-mates used their tried-and-tested formula for success: working hard to pull back a dangerous break and then setting the German up for the win.

“This year just can’t get any better.” Greipel said afterwards.

“There was an attack which we reeled in about 10 kilometres to go. After that we kept things under control as best we could, and [ Columbia team-mate] Roger Hammond gave me a leadout until about 300 metres to go.”

“At that point I went for it, it was a flat, easy finish, so I had a good lead when I crossed the line.”

After winning the Tour Down Under in January, Greipel admits that it’s “wonderful that I’m still able to get the wins in as late as September.”

But he said it was highly unlikely that such a long run of success would motivate him  to continue racing up until the last big sprinters’ race of the season,  Paris-Tours.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m  going to stop on October 3rd - that’s my last race [the Munstersland Giro].”
 

I’m still winning, but my head’s beginning to feel pretty empty. I’ve done 96 days racing this year - that’s a lot.”

“You can’t have everything, and I’ve got to think about the future as well.”
Greipel has been so busy racing, in fact, that he’s not had any time to think about any holidays.

“I haven’t got round to it. Besides, in bike racing, you can never plan anything.”