Andre Greipel wins, Tour de France 2012, stage four

André Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) is becoming more relaxed and composed in the sprints, a snowball effect that's helping him win more. Today, the German took his second sprint win in the Tour de France when the fifth stage finished in Saint-Quentin.

"He was smart enough to let the other ones [Matt Goss of team Orica] start early. That's what I mean, he has confidence," General manager, Marc Sergeant told Cycling Weekly. "Otherwise, you panic and start sprinting. How he lets two or three riders pass. Amazing how he won."

Greipel nearly crashed at two kilometres out with Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp). He had to unclip from his pedals, but regained his composure.

Cavendish failed to show in the sprint after yesterday's crash in Rouen. He faded when Goss started his sprint and left it to Greipel. Greipel won over Juan José Haedo (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) and Goss.

"It's experience from my team-mates," Greipel said in the press conference.

His team led for most of the day. Sky took over, but Lotto finished the job. Only a brief interruption by Goss and Orica team-mate Daryl Impey seem to cause havoc.

"Henderson was a bit tired and we needed to time it right," Greipel added. "I was lucky Goss passed me and I could use him. I saved some power there."

Of the three sprint wins so far, World Champion Cavendish won one and Greipel two. This was the first of the two ahead of Cavendish.

"For the press and public, it is a bonus, but in our minds, we just go off our strength and focus on the win," Sergeant said.

"I don't know why everyone thinks that I can't beat him," Greipel added. "I beat him in the last months. I have the best team around me, so why can't I beat him. On Monday I was tired, yesterday he crashed."

Greipel now has three Tour stage wins compared to Cavendish's 21. He has three or possibly four more chances to win in this Tour, the last being when the race ends in Paris on July 22.

"It's only his second Tour, which also makes a big difference. He has full confidence of the whole team," Sergeant said. "I think that we've built up pretty good with him, not in Dauphine or Switzerland [stage races], but in lower profile races to have the opportunity to test and really go for the perfection. What we saw in Belgium, in Tournai, yesterday and today - that's close to perfection."

Tour de France 2012: Latest news

Cavendish and Eisel expected to continue after stage four crash

Injury report: Tour stage four

Garmin-Sharp adjust Tour de France plans after injury problems

Sky down to eight after Siutsou crash

Kittel recovering from illness

Explaining the three kilometre rule

Sky's embarrassment of riches

Rogers back on form and backing Wiggins in the Tour

Martin to continue in Tour despite fractured wrist

Liquigas coach tips Sagan for future Grand Tour win

Cancellara's win lifts morale in RadioShack team

Tour de France 2012: Teams, riders, start list

Tour 2012: Who will win?

Tour de France 2012 provisional start list

Tour de France 2012 team list

Tour de France 2012: Stage reports

Stage five: Greipel wins again as Cavendish fades

Stage four: Greipel wins stage after Cavendish crashes

Stage three: Sagan runs away with it in Boulogne

Stage two: Cavendish takes 21st Tour stage victory

Stage one: Sagan wins at first attempt

Prologue: Cancellara wins, Wiggins second

Tour de France 2012: Comment, analysis, blogs

Analysis: How much time could Wiggins gain in Tour's time trials

CW's Tour de France podcasts

Blog: Tour presentation - chasing dreams and autographs

Comment: Cavendish the climber

Tour de France 2012: Photo galleries

Stage five by Graham Watson

Stage four by Graham Watson

Stage three by Graham Watson

Stage two by Andy Jones

Stage two by Graham Watson

Stage one by Graham Watson

Prologue photo gallery by Andy Jones

Prologue photo gallery by Roo Rowler

Prologue photo gallery by Graham Watson

Tour de France 2012: Team presentation

Sky and Rabobank Tour de France recce

Tour de France 2012: Live text coverage

Stage five live coverage

Stage four live coverage

Stage three live coverage

Cycling Weekly's live text coverage schedule

Tour de France 2012: TV schedule

ITV4 live schedule

British Eurosport live schedule

Tour de France 2012: Related links

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish

Brief history of the Tour de France

Tour de France 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

1989: The Greatest Tour de France ever

 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.