Andre Greipel unhappy on losing his teammate, Jurgen Roelandts
Andre Greipel was disappointed on losing his teammate, Jurgen Roelandts, during the first stage of the Santos Tour Down Under 2012. The latter was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for the x-rays on his collarbone.
“He's one of my main lead-out guys," Greipel said. "He's one of the strongest also for the GC – he can climb good, he can sprint good. He would have been a good option".
Three other riders were seriously injured during the crash, namely, Matteo Montaguti, Jurgen Roelandts and Frederic Guesdon.
Montaguti of Team AG2R-La Mondiale was transported to the SportsMed hospital in Adelaide for the x-rays of his collarbone.
Frederic Guesdon of Team FDJ-BigMat is believed to have broken his hip and was also sent for x-rays after the race.
Andre Greipel won the first stage of the race after a close finish over Alessandro Petacchi, who finished second.
However, Greipel was displeased about the day of racing and believes that the main reason behind the crash was the downhill sprint finish during the 149 kilometre stage.
The 29-year-old explained that the peloton was riding at a gruelling speed of 75 km/hr and a crash at that velocity gives absolutely no chance to react.
"Of course it was a headwind so just imagine if it's a tailwind. We’d have come here with 80-85km/h," he briefed.
While commenting on the first day, Greipel shared that it was one of the toughest days of racing and that he considers himself lucky on winning the 149 kilometre stage.
Race Director Mike Turtur denied Andre’s concerns, "My reports tell me three riders were tangled up jockeying for positions on the right hand side, because the wind was coming from the left".
He also explained that the finish was straight as an arrow and the peloton was aware of the slightly downhill sprint finish.
Greipel is one of the favourites at the race and, with Henderson back in the Lotto squad, it is believed that the cyclist can repeat his 2008 performance at the event.
Team Lotto-Belisol was counting on Roelandts and believes that the cyclist will recover after the crash to continue with the race.
Tags: