Fast start for Team High Road as Greipel grabs ProTour Lead

January 26, 2008

25 year old André Greipel dominated the first ProTour stage race of the season continuing a string of success for Team High Road in Australia. Greipel won five stages and the overall title and earned the right to wear the ProTour Leaders Jersey. Greipel’s victory follows the success of Team High Road's Australian riders at their National Titles in early January when Oenone Wood took the women’s road title and Adam Hansen took the time trial title and the silver medal in the road race. Youngster Alex Rhodes also took a Bronze in the women’s Time Trial. Also in January in the Northern Hemisphere, Roger Hammond took yet another British Cyclocross National Title and Kim Kirchen was named Athlete of the year in Luxembourg for his stellar performance in 2007. Greipel, who trained since last fall for this race, credited his teammates Bernard Eisel, Marcus Burghart, Frantisek Rabon and the down under crew Adam Hansen, Scott Davis and Greg Henderson for their exceptional effort and teamwork saying “I’m really proud of this win but it was my teammates who helped me get there. Without them today, this would not have been possible. I was very nervous this morning,” he added. “I have never been in this situation before so I didn’t know how I would react, but my teammates talked to me the whole way and we showed the best reaction.” Starting with the criterium in Glenelg on Sunday, which acted as a preview to the Tour, Greipel’s speed was very hard to beat. By the end of the penultimate stage, he had sprinted to victory in four stages and moved into the overall lead, taking the leaders jersey going into the final circuit race. He was able to finish the tour with one final stage win and the overall victory. Team Director Allan Piper was extremely pleased with the performance of the team. “We had a week in Australia before the race started and we bonded as a group,” he said. “It showed in the race and especially today. André had been preparing for this race for three months and the other guys were happy to support him. They were all fantastic. They did an awesome job.” The riders now head to California where they will join the entire 42 person team (29 men and 13 women) for a 15 day training camp in the teams USA base of San Luis Obispo, followed by the team presentation in Palo Alto on the 15th. “The team is blessed with extraordinary young talent. Its rewarding to see them grow, improve and taste success based on intense focus, teamwork and exceptional effort” said Team Owner Bob Stapleton. “Our young riders were exceptional last year and have the potential to do more this season”, added Stapleton.