ID :
101803
Fri, 01/22/2010 - 16:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/101803
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Greipel wins Tour`s fourth stage
Lance Armstrong played a card, but the powerful HTC Columbia team holds two
impressive aces ahead of the Tour Down Under's decisive stage.
HTC's German sprint ace Andre Greipel won his third stage out of four as the team
worked superbly in the 149.5km race from the Adelaide suburb of Norwood to the
south-eastern coastal town of Goolwa.
Greipel continues to hold the overall lead ahead of the Tour's "Queen" stage on
Saturday at Willunga, which features two climbs of the tough Willunga Hill.
Australian star Robbie McEwen trails Greipel by 20 seconds after finishing second on
Friday, but he is not expected to be a factor after Willunga.
If the German falters on Saturday in the second-last stage, Australian teammate
Michael Rogers is only 30 seconds behind on the general classification and the
climbing specialist is clearly in good form.
Gusty winds played havoc with stage four and Spanish star Alejandro Valverde, second
in stage three, was among those who lost touch with the front group.
Armstrong and Radioshack teammate Tomas Vaitkus made a bold move with about 10km
left and led by around 20 seconds, but they were caught well before the finish.
"We knew the last 10km were most likely going to be crosswinds, so we tried to stay
on the front and go just before that," Armstrong said.
Armstrong paid for his effort, finishing 17 seconds behind the lead group of 47, but
world champion Cadel Evans was with the front group at the finish.
Evans is well-placed overall at 26 seconds in seventh place, while 2005 race winner
Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain is with Rogers and 11 others who are equal-ninth.
Armstrong is 29th overall, 47 seconds behind Greipel, and Valverde is 26th at 41
seconds.
As they have done for much of this Tour, HTC's leadout train set Greipel up
perfectly for the finish once Armstrong's attack failed.
"The last 5km, we always rode from the front and no-one could pass us - it's a sign
of strength," Greipel said.
"We deserved the win because we always ride from the front."
Asked if he could hold onto the race lead at Willunga, Greipel replied: "I will try
... we will find out."
Greipel's teammates were in a chirpy mood at the team car after the stage, despite
clearly having worked hard.
"We obviously have the strongest leadout team here for those kinds of finishes, we
saw the opportunity arise and we took it, the rest is history," Rogers said.
Rogers' job on Saturday will be simple - go to the front for the climbs and then see
how Greipel performs.
If the German falters on the two climbs, then Rogers, the 2002 Tour Down Under
winner, will see if he can contend for the overall win.
But if Greipel can stay in contention up to the top of the second climb, Rogers will
drop back and work for him until the finish.
Rogers has ridden well so far after saying at the start of the week that he did not
want to push too hard.
"We have two cards to play and we'll try to use our experience and brains as our
strength," he said.
impressive aces ahead of the Tour Down Under's decisive stage.
HTC's German sprint ace Andre Greipel won his third stage out of four as the team
worked superbly in the 149.5km race from the Adelaide suburb of Norwood to the
south-eastern coastal town of Goolwa.
Greipel continues to hold the overall lead ahead of the Tour's "Queen" stage on
Saturday at Willunga, which features two climbs of the tough Willunga Hill.
Australian star Robbie McEwen trails Greipel by 20 seconds after finishing second on
Friday, but he is not expected to be a factor after Willunga.
If the German falters on Saturday in the second-last stage, Australian teammate
Michael Rogers is only 30 seconds behind on the general classification and the
climbing specialist is clearly in good form.
Gusty winds played havoc with stage four and Spanish star Alejandro Valverde, second
in stage three, was among those who lost touch with the front group.
Armstrong and Radioshack teammate Tomas Vaitkus made a bold move with about 10km
left and led by around 20 seconds, but they were caught well before the finish.
"We knew the last 10km were most likely going to be crosswinds, so we tried to stay
on the front and go just before that," Armstrong said.
Armstrong paid for his effort, finishing 17 seconds behind the lead group of 47, but
world champion Cadel Evans was with the front group at the finish.
Evans is well-placed overall at 26 seconds in seventh place, while 2005 race winner
Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain is with Rogers and 11 others who are equal-ninth.
Armstrong is 29th overall, 47 seconds behind Greipel, and Valverde is 26th at 41
seconds.
As they have done for much of this Tour, HTC's leadout train set Greipel up
perfectly for the finish once Armstrong's attack failed.
"The last 5km, we always rode from the front and no-one could pass us - it's a sign
of strength," Greipel said.
"We deserved the win because we always ride from the front."
Asked if he could hold onto the race lead at Willunga, Greipel replied: "I will try
... we will find out."
Greipel's teammates were in a chirpy mood at the team car after the stage, despite
clearly having worked hard.
"We obviously have the strongest leadout team here for those kinds of finishes, we
saw the opportunity arise and we took it, the rest is history," Rogers said.
Rogers' job on Saturday will be simple - go to the front for the climbs and then see
how Greipel performs.
If the German falters on the two climbs, then Rogers, the 2002 Tour Down Under
winner, will see if he can contend for the overall win.
But if Greipel can stay in contention up to the top of the second climb, Rogers will
drop back and work for him until the finish.
Rogers has ridden well so far after saying at the start of the week that he did not
want to push too hard.
"We have two cards to play and we'll try to use our experience and brains as our
strength," he said.
