Less than a week after winning the fifth stage of the Tour of Qatar, André Greipel was back on the top step of the podium when he held off Leigh Howard (Orica-GreenEDGE) and Nicola Ruffoni (Bardiani) in the sprint that ended the opening stage of the Tour of Oman. The German praised the excellent teamwork that had laid the foundations for his fourth win of the season.

André Greipel has had his usual good start to the season, adding a fourth win to his tally in today's opening stage of the Tour of Oman. Again he benefited from his excellent lead-out train of Jurgen Roelandts and Marcel Sieberg who delivered him perfectly to another victory.

With all set for a big bunch sprint, all eyes were on Greipel to take the win and it was left to his Lotto Belisol team to chase down the early four-rider break. In the end, they got some help from FDJ and Omega Pharma-Quick Step who had great ambitions with Nacer Bouhanni and Tom Boonen but it was the Belgian team that dominated affairs.

Hence, it was a bit of a surprise that Greipel found himself in the second group when the peloton split in the crosswinds with 20km to go. For a brief moment, it seemed that all the hard work had been in vain but things came back together in time for the famous Lotto Belisol train to again set their captain up for the win.

"The team took its responsibility in the first 90 kilometers with Lars Bak and Gert Dockx at the head of the bunch," Greipel said. "They were controlling the breakaway on their own. There was a split in the bunch in the final, but with the headwinds the first group had no chance.

"Until 2.5 kilometers to go there was headwind, so it was important to stay together up to that point. In the last straight line there was a crosswind. Bak, Gallopin and Van den Broeck had to bring Ligthart, Sieberg, Roelandts and me in front there. That all worked out well and the guys did a well-timed lead-out. I could hold off everyone in a slightly head crosswind sprint.

"We deserved that win as we worked all day for it and again it was a nice team effort. I'm proud of the team."

Greipel is now also the first leader of the race and will get another chance to add to his tally tomorrow in what should be another sprint stage.

You can read our preview of the race here.