The Future is Green, Team GreenEdge claimed its first ever World Tour victory
Simon Gerrans gave a perfect start to the World Tour debutant squad, Team GreenEdge, at the UCI inaugural event, Santos Tour Down Under.
Australian cyclist, Simon Gerrans won the overall classifications at the race to claim a much deserving top podium position.
He came close at the fifth stage but lost the sprint to Alejandro Valverde, at the 151.5 kilometre chase to Old Willunga Hill, on January 21st.
Valverde secured his first tour win, as Gerrans finished second, with Tiago Machado, Michael Rogers and Rohan Dennis occupying the third, fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Simon could not win any stage during the race but his performance was good enough for the first final general classifications spot.
He started the final stage of the race wearing the Ochre jersey and kept a close eye on his main rivals to claim the overall win at the event.
Andre Greipel of Team Lotto-Belisol won the sixth stage to bag his third tour victory. Mark Renshaw, Alessandro Petacchi, Yauheni Hutarovich, Jose Joaquin Rojas and Edvald Boasson Hagen claimed the next five spots during the final stage.
The 31-year-old finished the race at the 27th position but his overall performance earned him the top podium position.
Stage 5 winner, Alejandro Valverde, claimed the second spot with Tiago Machado, Michael Rogers and Rohan Dennis finishing third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
Team GreenEdge’s cyclist earned 27 important UCI points to his credit and finished 8th at the Jayco Sprints Overall Classifications.
Gerrans was overwhelmed with the victory and thanked all his teammates for their help throughout the six days at the Australian race.
He was quoted as saying, "I can’t thank my team mates enough. I was pleasantly surprised when I was told I had the lead [yesterday]. It’s such a fantastic victory for GreenEdge. We couldn’t ask for a more perfect way to start the season".
Simon won the Tour Down Under back in 2006, and his victory on Sunday makes it his second overall success at the inaugural UCI event.
The cyclist believes that his win at the 2012 edition of the race is of far more importance as it brings the first ever win for the new Team GreenEdge and will always be remembered.
He cited, "It’s an even sweeter victory than my first one here in 2006. It gives me the opportunity to thank for the first time the Ryan family and Shayne Bannan for putting this team together. It couldn’t be a better start for us".
Gerrans gave an ideal start to Shayne Bannan’s team by claiming its first World Tour victory. Team GreenEdge also jumped up the Team General Classifications and finished 14thoverall.
RadioShack-Nissan claimed the first spot with Sky Procycling, Movistar, Rabobank and Omega Pharma-Quickstep achieving the second, third, fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
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