André Greipel wins final stage and Philippe Gilbert retains overall lead of 2011 Tour of Belgium: Cycling News
Omega Pharma-Lotto team’s André Greipel won the fourth and final stage of 2011 Tour of Belgium on Sunday, May 29. His team-mate, Philippe Gilbert, maintained his overall leader’s jersey.
The race started in Oreye and ended at Putte. The 28-year-old André Greipel took a total of 3 hours, 51 minutes and 43 seconds to cover a distance of 169.4 kilometres.
Previously, Greipel won the fourth stage of Volta ao Algarve and first stage of Three Days of De Panne. He also won the sixth stage of Tour of Turkey.
The 83 cyclists crossed the finish line with the same timing of Andre. Aidis Kruopis of the Landbouwkrediet team was the runner-up and Luca Paolini of the Katusha team grabbed the third place. The overall race leader, Gilbert, was in 55th place.
Adrien Petit (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne), Allan Davis (Pro Team Astana) and Michaël Van Staeyen (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator) came in fourth, fifth and sixth spot, respectively.
The two riders of Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne team, Nico Sijmens and Julien Fouchard were disqualified.
The group of three riders, Marcus Burghardt of BMC, Kurt Hovelynck of Donckers Koffie-Jelly Belly and Dries Hollanders of An Post-Sean Kelly made their first break in the first sprint of the race. However, Marcus Burghardt was in good form and took the first
sprint.
After a few kilometres from the start, Marcus Burghardt gained an advantage of 8 points and took the second sprint. At the beginning of the final sprint, all of them gained an advantage of three minutes over the peloton, but Philippe Gilbert kept the break-away
riders in check.
After a few kilometres in the second sprint, Pim Ligthart of the Vacansoleil-DCM pro Cycling team won the third sprint ahead of Michael and Philippe.
Belgium rider, Philippe Gilbert maintained his overall lead with a timing of 16 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds. Greg Van Avermaet of the BMC racing team was the runner-up with 20 seconds behind Philippe.
Bjorn Leukemans of the Vacansoleil-DCM pro cycling team was in third place with a difference of 36 seconds. The stage winner, André Greipel was in 35th place with 20 minutes and 15 seconds.
Marcus Burghardt won the sprint classification ahead of Michael Schar and Graeme Brown.
Points
1. André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto Team 30 points
2. Aidis Kruopis (Ltu) Landbouwkrediet Team 25 points
3. Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha Team 22 points
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