Marc Sergeant: I'm certain Andre Greipel can win a spring classic
Lotto Belisol star set to line-up with other sprinters at Milan-San Remo
Andre Greipel may have his best chance yet to secure a career first Monument at Sunday’s Milan-San Remo after an exceptionally sound season start.
The 31-year-old is considered one of the WorldTour’s top three pure sprinters, alongside Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) and Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), although has shown unparalleled power in some of six victories this year.
It bodes well for La Classica di Primavera, which Greipel is set to enter off the back of a strong performance at Tirreno-Adriatico that concludes tomorrow with an individual time trial.
The German in stage three, which Peter Sagan (Cannondale) won, was the only pure sprinter to stay with the front group on the uphill drag to the finish that topped out at 11 per cent. In stage six today he survived the main climbs but was hampered by a crash, which involved teammates, in the finale.
“I’m certain he can win a spring classic,” Lotto Belisol manager Marc Sergeant told Cycling Weekly. “For years I’ve been telling him he’s able to win one.
“I’m sure he can win races like Gent-Wevelgem and Scheldeprijs. I even count Milan-San Remo because he’s one of the sprinters that can go uphill pretty good, which he showed obviously in [the Tour of] Oman.”
The five-time Tour de France stage winner is virtually the only pure sprinter that starts the first three Monuments of the year. His impetus in racing the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix is selflessly divided but the experience could lead to more noteworthy performances there in future.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Greipel has ambitions to be crowned a road world champion and the next chance of that, for sprinters, looks to be Qatar 2016. You could though entertain the possibility of the Gorilla, in time, making the transition from sprinter to more classics rider as others, like Tom Boonen and Thor Hushovd, have before him.
“Last year he was not on the list for the Tour of Flanders but then we suggested it because we needed a valued rider like him to be in the final to help Jurgen Roelandts,” Sergeant said.
“He realised that’s one of the men he needs most in the year, Jurgen Roelandts, and said, ‘I’m going to do something in return for you.’ And he did.
“That was the best race he did, if you saw the classics, because he was involved in the break in the final. The last 60km they [main group] had to chase and Jurgen [who finished third] was always in a comfortable position.”
Milan-San Remo has enticed sprinters back with the Pompeiana and Le Manie both omitted from this year’s 298km course. Sagan as well as Paris-Nice stage winner and points champion John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) are shaping as some of the favourites.
British Eurosport will broadcast the race live on Sunday from 1.00pm GMT.
Andre Greipel in doubt for Giro d'Italia
German sprinter Andre Greipel set to miss Giro d'Italia to concentrate on Tour de France
Andre Greipel back in charge at Tour of Oman
German sprinter Andre Greipel wins stage three and regains overall lead in 2014 Tour of Oman
Andre Greipel wins Tour of Qatar stage five
Andre Greipel takes bunch sprint at the end of stage five of the 2014 Tour of Qatar as Niki Terpstra
Credit: Graham Watson
Tom Boonen not surprised to beat Andre Greipel in Tour of Qatar sprint
Andre Greipel wins Tour Down Under finale
Tour Down Under 2014, stage six: Simon Gerrans claims 'home' race on Australia Day
Andre Greipel wins stage four of Tour Down Under
Tour Down Under 2014, stage four: Simon Gerrans makes up time on Cadel Evans ahead of queen stage
Marcel Kittel pips Andre Greipel in Tour Down Under prelude
People's Choice Classic 2014 report: Marcel Kittel sprints to win as Giovanni Visconti fractures leg in 50km criterium
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
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.
-
French WorldTour pro cyclist dismissed by team for 'anti-doping violation'
Franck Bonnamour's biological passport is under investigation by the UCI, but he denies wrongdoing
By Adam Becket Published
-
Street lights being turned off leaves female cyclists like me in the dark when it comes to our safety
‘I’m aware of my own mortality everytime I leave the house’ writes journalist Emmie Harrison-West following the news that cash-strapped councils are switching off street lights.
By Emmie Harrison-West Published
-
Do longer races actually mean better bike racing?
Milan-San Remo is shorter than 300km this year - shock! - but other races are getting longer. Is that actually a good thing?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Another year, another annoying choice between Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico
The two premier stage races clashing is a continued bane for all fans of cycling, and points to a bloated sport
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I never wanted to be known as the TikTok cyclist' - how Alison Jackson wrote her legacy at Paris-Roubaix
The Canadian tells Cycling Weekly how a day across the cobbles of northern France changed her career
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Seven tech insights spotted at Paris-Roubaix 2023
From tyre pressure systems to old-school chainrings, here's what Cycling Weekly saw at the race
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers rider runs half marathon after finishing Paris-Roubaix
Cameron Wurf is a triathlete, so it's unfair really. He is not the first cyclist to dabble with trainers, however
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tweets of the week: Cobbles, barbecues, and what on earth is curry ketchup?
Strap in for our pre-Paris-Roubaix round-up of social media's finest
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar claims Kwaremont-Paterberg Strava KOM in Tour of Flanders romp
The two-time Tour de France winner took a host of Strava trophies in Flanders on Sunday
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Tour of Flanders updates as Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky convincingly win; Mathieu van der Poel finishes second; Mads Pedersen beats Wout van Aert to fourth; SD Worx continue dominant spring; Bahrain-Victorious rider apologises for crash;
Join us for live updates from the Tour of Flanders as Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky win the men's and women's editions
By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated