Greipel takes new approach to early-season racing in 2015
German sprinter André Greipel will skip the 2015 Tour Down Under and instead look to the spring classics and Giro for early season racing
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André Greipel may have claimed more wins than any other pro in the men’s peloton last season, but that isn’t stopping the German sprinter from taking a new approach to spring racing in 2015.
In a press release filed from its Benicàssim, Spain training camp, Lotto-Belisol announced that its sprinter will forgo the Tour Down Under, where he’s won 16 stages over the years. He also won the overall classification at the Australian race in 2008 and 2010.
“I’m on schedule, although it’s a different one than previous years as I won’t ride the Tour Down Under in 2015,” said Greipel in the team’s press release. “It’s a pity I won’t go to Australia, because I always liked being there, and I set very good results. But I’m 32, and if I want another approach this is the moment to try, we’ll see what it gives.”
Lotto-Belisol did not specify whether Greipel would race other major events during the winter months, but it did say that he would start the Giro d’Italia in May.
“I’ll ride the Giro next year,” he said. “I participated for the last time in 2010. The Tour is again a goal in July, so normally I will start in two grand tours.”
The German has won two Giro stages during his career — in 2008 and 2010.
“For me Milano-Sanremo and Gent-Wevelgem are the most important classics; I’ll take my chance there,” said Greipel. “I will ride the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in function of the team. We want to be strong as a whole, that’s why there are changes to the race program of Debusschere, Roelandts, Sieberg, and me.”
