Sprinter André Greipel and his Columbia-HTC teammates are aiming for a strong season finish in the Paris-Bourges and Paris-Tours Classics in France this week.  "Paris-Tours suits me better than Paris-Bourges, although it's so flat you've got to be careful because the cross-winds can make a big difference very quickly," Greipel said.  "If it comes down to a bunch sprint, I'm in good shape and I'll give it the best I can."

Greipel, who has acheived 19 victories already in 2009, has high hopes for this year's Paris-Tours.  "I've only done this race once before, back in 2006, and it wasn't great. An early break went and got such a big advantage the rest of us in the bunch had to abandon.  This time around we'll be watching the breaks very closely, and we'll try to get someone in whichever move gets away."  Greipel added, "In a tough Classic like Paris-Tours, only the strongest sprinters are there at the end.  But I know with my [Columbia-HTC] teammates, I can count on being in the right place at the right time."

"Everybody's a bit tired which is normal for this time of year," added Columbia-HTC sports director Tristan Hoffman.  "But I know our team is really motivated, particularly guys like Andre and of course Bernie [Eisel] who won Paris-Bourges last year. At this point in the season, that's what matters the most."

Columbia-HTC for Paris-Bourges (Oct 8th): Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor); Gert Dockx (Bel); Bernhard Eisel (Aut); Andre Greipel (Ger); Morris Possoni (Ita); Frantisek Rabon (Cze); Vicente Reynes (Spa).

Columbia-HTC for Paris-Tours (Oct 11th): Michael Barry (Can); Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor); Gert Dockx (Bel); Bernhard Eisel (Aut); Andre Greipel (Ger); Frantisek Rabon (Cze); Vicente Reynes (Spa).