Team High Road's Andre Greipel

Before the start of the Tour Down Under most Australians would not have heard of the name Andre Greipel, but the 25 year old German has definitely made a lasting impression.

Today in hot and testing conditions, the Team High Road sprinter once again proved that not only is he the fastest rider in the peloton; he is also one of the strongest.

Greipel secured his third win of the week (on top of his Down Under Classic title), and the 10 bonus seconds has catapulted the likeable German into the Ochre Jersey. Based on the form he has shown this week, it would take a brave man to suggest he wont hold onto in tomorrow's final stage.

As expected, the stage all came down to who would climb best or minimise their loses on Old Willunga Hill and get themselves into a position to vie for the win. That is not to say the race was dull prior to the KOM climb.

The attacks came thick and fast, although an alert peloton tried to minimise the breaks. The opening kilometres hummed along at over 70 km/h, before the right combination of riders were allowed to escape.

Team High Road played their tactical card by placing New Zealander Greg Henderson in the break. This placed the onus on the other teams to keep the break in check whilst Greipel's team-mates could conserve energy for the Willunga Climb.

Joining Henderson in the break were Gerolsteiner's Carlo Westphal, Aitor Galdos Alonso of Euskaltel-Euskadi, Astana's Julien Mazet and Renaud Dion (Ag2r-La Mondiale). The 5 worked well together but few expected them to get to the finish line first.

Despite building their lead up to nearly four a half minutes, the main pack ensured all riders were back together for the decisive Willunga Hill climb. Team High Road went to the front and set a fast tempo on the initial slopes. Credit Agricole's Mark Renshaw was one of the first big guns to lose contact with the peloton which was being whittled down by the metre.

The attacks still came as the lead group climbed ever closer to the top. Cofidis' David Moncoutie was first across the line, followed by 2005 champion Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne). KOM Jersey wearer Philippe Gilbert (Francaise Des Jeux) third place wrapped up his KOM title.

Although Sanchez posed a threat, interest centred on who was in and who was dropped from the 30 strong front group. Ochre Jersey wearer Mark Renshaw was left 30 seconds behind, and due to the size and pace of the leaders was unable to bridge the gap.

With Greipel and UniSA-Australia's Allan Davis in the group and with plenty of team support, it all boiled down to the sprint. The German powered away from Davis, spoiling any chance of an Australian Day celebration, and won comfortably in the end.

Afterwards, the modest powerhouse paid tribute to his team. "My team did a fantastic job. Adam Hansen helped me in the last 20 kilometres". Of tomorrow? "We have a really strong team. I feel good and I think we can win tomorrow". Greipel trained specifically for the Tour Down Under but "is really surprised with how strong" he is.

Davis remains just 7 seconds behind Greipel heading into the final stage - an 88 kilometre street circuit around the streets of Adelaide. The former Discovery rider remains upbeat as "there are still 20 seconds up for grabs".

Stage Results:
1. Andre Greipel (Ger) Team High Road 3.26.46
2. Allan Davis (Aus) UniSA-Australia
3. Jose Alberto Benitez Roman (Spa) Saunier Duval-Scott
4. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux
5. Michael Albasini (Swi) Liquigas
6. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC
7. Mickael Delage (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux
8. William Walker (Aus) Rabobank
9. Jerome Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
10. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

General Classification after Stage 5:
1. Andre Greipel (Ger) Team High Road 16.55.18
2. Allan Davis (Aus) UniSA-Australia @ 0.07
3. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne @ 0.20
4. Mickael Delage (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux @ 0.24
5. Mickael Buffaz (Fra) Cofidis
6. Jose Alberto Benitez Roman (Spa) Saunier Duval-Scott @ 0.26
7. Kjell Carlstrom (Fin) Liquigas
8. Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne @ 0.28
9. Richie Porte (Aus) UniSA-Australia
10. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux @ 0.29

Points Classification after Stage 5:
1. Andre Greipel (Ger) Team High Road 24 pts
2. Allan Davis (Aus) UniSA-Australia 24 pts
3. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Credit Agricole 24 pts

Mountains Classification after Stage 5:
1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux 38 pts
2. David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis 22 pts
3. Mathieu Perget (Fra) Caisse d'Epargne 18 pts

Under 25 Classification after Stage 5:
1. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 16.55.38
2. Mickael Delage (fra) Francaise Des Jeux @ 0.04
3. Richie Porte (Aus) UniSA-Australia @ 0.08

© Michael Holden