Lotto-Belisol's Andre Greipel relieved to take stage win

Omnisports Pulse

July 10, 2014 5:12 AM

Andre Greipel was delighted to finally win a stage at this year's Tour de France after sprinting to victory on Thursday.

Lotto-Belisol have found themselves at the front in the majority of the opening six stages of the race but had yet to turn that advantage into a win, something Greipel admitted was a relief to finally put right.

Another tough day of competing saw high winds and rain throughout the 194 kilometres from Arras to Reims, and it was the German who finally outmanoeuvred sprint rival and compatriot Marcel Kittel to record the sixth Tour de France stage win of his career.

The 31-year-old made his move at the perfect time in the final sprint despite a lack of support from his team, and he edged out Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Samuel Demoulin (AG2R La Mondiale) on the line.

"That was hard," he said. "Especially in the last 30 kilometres with the side wind, it was a tough race.

"Maybe I didn't have a proper lead-out train but we rode like crazy at the last roundabout.

"Fortunately we stayed together and I found a good wheel in following Mark Renshaw [of Omega Pharma-Quick Step].

"I went full gas with 350 metres to go. It was pretty early but I thought whatever happens is fine as long as I give everything.

"I felt a lot of pressure after the first few stages but finally we have a victory.

"It's a good answer from Lotto-Belisol to the critics. My confidence was always there. We stayed calm and did a really good work. My team-mates and myself, we deserve this win."

Greipel's win did nothing to affect the overall classification standings, with all four jerseys remaining with the men who started the day wearing them.

Omnisports Pulse