TFU: Andre Greipel the king of stage wins

German sprint machine Andre Greipel reaffirmed his position as the king of stage wins at the Tour Down Under yesterday.

Andre Greipel of Germany on his way to victory in the final stage of the Tour Down Under yesterday

German sprint machine Andre Greipel reaffirmed his position as the king of stage wins at the Tour Down Under when he claimed stage six on the streets of Adelaide yesterday.

It was Greipel’s 18th stage win in South Australia and the fifth time he had conquered a city street circuit finale to the race, book-ending a stage one win in Lyndoch on Tuesday.

Greipel, 35, who has won the tour twice, admitted to suffering in the middle of the race especially when 41C dogged the peloton at Victor Harbor and Uraidla on Thursday and Friday.

“It sure wasn’t healthy but I’m happy to get over, it was a good sprint,’’ Greipel said. “I think the organisation made everything that was possible (during the heat) and then it was up to the riders whoever wants to race wants to race.”

The German also likes the fact the race does end with a street circuit after returning to South Australia for the first time since 2014.

Retired Robbie McEwen has 12 stage wins with Mitchelton-Scott’s Caleb Ewan, 22, next in line with seven stages.

Meanwhile, Richie Porte says he would love to have Rohan Dennis with him at the Tour de France in July after crediting his fifth Willunga Hill stage win to his BMC teammate.

Speaking after finishing second in the TDU for the third time in four years yesterday, Porte said Dennis would be crucial in the biggest race of the year.

“Patrick Bevin rode all day and everyone played their part on Saturday but Rohan won me the stage 100 per cent,” Porte said.

“Without a second hesitation when Simon Gerrans said (on the radio), ‘Hey Rohan when it slows down here you need to put the pace on’, he did.

“It was always the plan that Rohan would be a protected rider, he’s the same type of rider as Daryl (Impey) and could have sat in and did what he had to.

“But he’s a really good teammate, he’s one of the most underrated riders going around in the world and with one of the biggest engines.

“For sure I would like to have him in July, on his day he’s one of the best time triallers in the world and a loyal mate.

“It will depend on his race program, but he’s got the engine. He could come and do a great job in the Tour, in the team time trial he’s the anchor — he’s the best.”

Dennis is planning to ride the Giro d’Italia in May but his program beyond that is not clear.

Porte said he was disappointed not to defend his TDU crown this week but had to be happy with second behind Impey given it was his first stage race since breaking his pelvis in last year’s Tour de France.

Porte will race the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race next weekend and then change his usual European race program by doing Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Swiss before July while also preparing to become a father in May.

“There are some big changes but it’s quite exciting, I’ve never done Tour of Swiss so I’m looking forward to getting back to Europe and really getting started,” he said.

“I’m super motivated.”