February 18/10 13:54 pm - Volta ao Algarve: Stage 2

Posted by Editoress on 02/18/10
 

Results from today's 2nd stage in Portugal

HTC-Columbia's André Greipel powered through heavy rainfall and tough terrain to take a spectacular victory and the race lead in stage two of the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal.  "It was a really difficult stage, more than 200 kilometres long, six and a half hours of riding through terrible weather, and on top of that there were some hard climbs and a difficult uphill finish as well," said HTC-Columbia sports director Tristan Hoffman.  "The other teams worked flat out to drop the sprinters, but André hung on and came through in the final.  It wasn't really a sprint at the end, because everybody was so exhausted. But he didn't give up and came through for the victory."

Greipel himself said that he had not been on a good day, but with strong encouragement from his HTC-Columbia teammates, he managed to get through.  "My teammates were constantly telling me not to give up, and to keep trying, even though I thought I couldn't last because most of the day I felt terrible.  Then when we managed to pull back the last guy from the break very close to the finish, and I went for it.

"We expected a lot more attacks, but because the conditions were so hard everybody was dead and that didn't happen.  Then in the last 200 metres, when the climb steepened to about 15 percent, I finally went clear and got the win."  Greipel said he was pleased but surprised he had managed to succeed, and take the leader's jersey as well.  "I never thought I'd be able to hang on for so long, over all those climbs.  Okay, this race isn't the Tour de France, but it's still a special win, one I feel very proud of taking."

Team HTC-Columbia press release