Kiwi rider sets up Greipel for stage triumph

Reuters

PEDAL POWER: Andre Greipel.

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Andre Greipel continued his dominance of the sprint stages during the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide yesterday.

The Lotto-Belisol rider claimed his second stage victory, winning by a bike length to extend his record for the most stage victories at the world tour season opener to 13.

Again it was his New Zealand team-mate, Greg Henderson, who laid the platform for the big German after the race came together inside the final 10km of the 126.5km stage from Modbury to Tanunda.

Italian rider Roberto Ferrari and Australian Jonathan Cantwell were second and third, respectively.

Yesterday's break featured world champion Philippe Gilbert and Damien Howson, the pair getting away early and staying away until inside the final 9km before the peloton, which was averaging more than 47kmh, mowed them down.

Team Sky's Geraint Thomas finished safely in the bunch to retain his lead in the general classification.

New Zealanders Jack Bauer (Garmin Sharp) and George Bennett (Radioshack Leopard Trek) are both sitting in the top 10 overall, while Bennett is fighting for a place on the podium in the young rider classification. Jesse Sergent (Radioshack) is the other New Zealand rider in the race.

Today's stage is 151.5km from McLaren Vale to Old Willunga Hill.

The six-day tour finishes tomorrow.

- © Fairfax NZ News