Tour Down Under

24-01-2010 10:08:31

Andre Greipel secured his second overall win of the Santos Tour Down Under on Sunday becoming one of only two riders who have won the event more than once.  Greipel won the race on his first attempt in 2008, crashed out in the leaders jersey in 2009 and came back in 2010 to win again, claiming 9 stage wins in Adelaide over the three years.

Greipel's teammates controlled the fast and furious 90 minute circuit race in downtown Adelaide to ensure overall victory.

"I'm really happy to win again here and to take the ProTour lead," said Greipel. "Of course I would have liked to have won the stage today because the team worked really hard but I am happy with the overall win."

"It has been a great week. I really like coming here to race. It's a nice way to start the season, especially when you win."

Team Director Allan Peiper was equally pleased with the week of racing.

"It was a fantastic combination of effort and work by everyone in the team who came here," he said. "The whole team arrived two weeks before to get some solid training in for the race and Andre left his 15 day old baby to make sure he was ready. It all paid off with 3 stage wins and the GC.

"The boys were rock solid and worked really hard the whole week.  It was fantastic racing and they were right on top of every critical moment to protect the race lead. We couldn't have asked for a better start to the season."