The Gorilla's Last Goodbye?
CYCLING WEEKLY|September 13, 2018

He’s had a long and successful run at the ToB, but André Greipel’sbrace of sprint wins this year may be his final sign-off in the UK.

Paul Knott
The Gorilla's Last Goodbye?

The Tour of Britain likely waved goodbye to regular stage winner André Greipel this year. The 36-year-old German’s first Tour of Britain stage victory came in Blackpool back in 2010 as part of the HTC-Columbia team. Six more wins (two this year) and the Lotto-Soudal rider sits third in the all-time stage winners’ list behind Edvald Boasson Hagen and Mark Cavendish.

He was denied a final win in central London on Sunday by Caleb Ewan, the young Australian sprinter who replaces him at Lotto, and Fernando Gaviria, the rider who looks set to dominate bunch sprinting for the next few years. With Greipel signing with French Pro Continental team Fortuneo-Samsic for the next two seasons a return to racing on UK soil is doubtful.

“To be honest, last week I decided to just try and enjoy every race now in this kit,” he said. “That is my aim and I really like this group. Every day we are travelling together and there are not so many races after the Tour of Britain.

“It will be emotional for sure when I wear the jersey the last time. We are all a big family and your team-mates can change, but I still have a lot of friends in that team and you can’t stay forever.”

Greipel has ridden with the Belgian outfit since 2012, and has been one of their most successful riders with 11 Tour de France stage wins and seven at the Giro d’Italia. That he’s still winning now is testament to his staying power. After a slump in 2017 when he admitted to losing the instinct to make decisions in a bunch sprint, he dragged himself back up to winning form early this year.

Denne historien er fra September 13, 2018-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 13, 2018-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CYCLING WEEKLYSe alt
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Cycling Weekly

"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"

Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
Cycling Weekly

RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499

A Brompton for running riot in both town and country

time-read
4 mins  |
October 17, 2024
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
Cycling Weekly

How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?

There are a myriad of tyres on the market but selecting the right one is easier than you think

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Cycling Weekly

FEAST OF SWEDEN

Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 17, 2024
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Cycling Weekly

THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS

Globe-trotting gravel racer Joe Laverick chooses his eight favourite events, from coastal Wales to the wilds of Kenya

time-read
7 mins  |
October 17, 2024
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Cycling Weekly

THE CALL OF THE WILD

Tempted to embark on a long-distance bike adventure? Let former round-the-world record holder and author Julian Sayarer inspire you to strike out and hit the road

time-read
7 mins  |
October 17, 2024
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cycling Weekly

Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes

Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
Cycling Weekly

JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE

I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.

time-read
1 min  |
October 17, 2024
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Cycling Weekly

Lowden not ready to stop after retirement

Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene

time-read
2 mins  |
October 17, 2024
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Cycling Weekly

Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia

Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument

time-read
3 mins  |
October 17, 2024