Having focused fully on the Tour de France since joining the Lotto team, André Greipel will do two grand tours in 2015. The German champion has announced that he will line up in the Giro.

The Lotto Belisol team is on a training camp in Benicàssim. For André Greipel it's a different approach than previous years, when he had to prepare for the Tour Down Under in January, the first WorldTour race of the season. In 2015 there will be a different race programme before the spring classics. For the first time since 2007, Greipel won't ride the Tour Down Under; he has participated seven times in a row. Another change to his programme is that the German champion will start in the Giro.

"I'm on schedule, although it's a different one than previous years as I won't ride the Tour Down Under in 2015," he said. "It's a pity I won't go to Australia, because I always liked being there and I set very good results. But I'm 32 and if I want another approach this is the moment to try, we'll see what it gives.

"December is more relaxed now, I have done less kilometres compared to the previous years because it's not necessary to be in top shape in four weeks. Other years the condition was often less good in March, I want to avoid that by building op gradually to the spring. The Challenge Mallorca will be my first race of the season.

"I'll ride the Giro next year. I last participated in 2010. The Tour is again a goal in July, so normally I will start in two Grand Tours. There will be some changes to the sprint train as Jürgen Roelandts will have a different race programme than previous years as well, although we will still race together. I understand that he optimally wants to make use of his opportunities in the races that suit him best.

"For me Milan - Sanremo and Ghent - Wevelgem are the most important classics, I'll take my chance there. I will ride the Tour of Flanders and Paris - Roubaix in function of the team. We want to be strong as a whole, that's why there are changes to the race programme of Debusschere, Roelandts, Sieberg and me."