ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Germany’s Andre Greipel won the first stage of the Tour Down Under on Tuesday, becoming the most successful rider in the race’s history by claiming his 12th stage win overall.
Greipel’s Lotto Belisol teammates led him into a prominent position at the final bend and he drew away to win the 85-mile stage effortlessly from Arnaud Demare of France, Australia’s Mark Renshaw and defending champion Simon Gerrans.
The same teamwork guided Greipel to victory in the tour’s 30-mile criterium on Sunday — his third win in that event — and he will wear the tour leader’s jersey into the second stage on Wednesday.
