Andre Greipel had the rare experience of being beaten by Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEDGE) in a sprint on today's first stage of the Tour Down Under. With the Menglers Hill coming just 11,7km from the finish and the finishing straight being slightly uphill, the stage didn't suit the sprinters and the German champion was just pleasantly surprised to be climbing so well at this early time of the year.

 

Andre Greipel is the most successful rider in the Tour Down Under history but for the first time in several years, the odds were not on the German champion to win the opening stage of the race. In their constant effort to make the race tougher, the organizers had decided to include the steep Menglers Hill just 11,7km from the finish and this was expected to take most of the sprinters out of contention.

 

However, Greipel defied expectations and made it over the climb in the lead group. With most of his fast rivals being left behind, all eyes were suddenly on the German to again become the first leader in the race.

 

Greipel was again given a good lead-out by his team but Simon Gerrans had a plan. The Australian champion knew that the uphill finishing straight suited him well and with the headwind, timing was crucial.

 

Gerrans positioned himself perfectly on Greipel's wheel and had enough power to come around the German just before the line. It was a rare experience for Greipel to be beaten by an Ardennes specialist in a bunch sprint but the Lotto Belisol leader was keen to stress that this had not been a typical bunch sprint stage.

 

"It was a perfect finish for Gerro [Gerrans] today," said Greipel. "The gearing was just too hard for me today. It wasn't a bunch sprint today, it was very hard today, and I am no climber. I tried to go up as fast as possible, so it's a good sign that the condition is there but the headwind played against us today."

 

Although the win eluded the Lotto Belisol team, there was another reason to celebrate. Adam Hansen showed good form by attacking over the top of Menglers Hill to become the first leader in the mountains classification.

 

The Australian was reeled in before the finish and started to work for Greipel when he realized that the German had survived the climb. Despite wearing the mountains jersey, Hansen remains focused on his job for his German sprinter.

 

"Garmin-Sharp and Sky were pulling in the climb but I was in a very good position, so I decided to have a go and see what happens," Hansen said. "But I went alone, there was a big group behind and I was never expecting to win.

 

"I didn't know until the bottom of the downhill that André Greipel was in the group. It's a bit of a shame because I could have saved some energy. King of the Mountains, it's a nice jersey to have but I don't think I'll fight to defend it. Our main goal remains to win a stage and I'll work for that as a priority."

 

Greipel will get another chance to show off his great conditions in tomorrow's second stage which finishes with the traditional uphill sprint in Stirling. The German has never won the stage before but having shown good climbing legs today, he may have a chance of making up for today's disappointment immediately.