After missing out on a place in the HTC-Columbia squad for Milan-San
Remo, Andre Greipel has expressed his displeasure with what he
perceives to be second-billing on the team when he has outshone his
British teammate, Mark Cavendish, so far this year.
Greipel opened the season by winning three stages, the points jersey
and the overall title at the Tour Down Under. Since then he has won the
Trofeo Magalluf-Palmanova at the Mallorca Challenge, and a stage at the
Volta ao Algarve, giving him six wins so far on the year. His wins in
Australia made him the first leader in the UCI rankings, in which he is
currently second.
Cavendish, on the other hand, has had suffered with severe dental
problems and crashed several times. He is yet to bring in any results
from the few races in which he has appeared.
Nevertheless, HTC-Columbia took Cavendish to Milan-San Remo, and
have named him as their protected sprinter for the Tour de France.
Greipel believes he should have ridden La Classicissima, telling sport1.de, “That was a real blow for me. My riding hasn't been so bad that I didn't deserve to start.”
Greipel didn't even watch the race, instead taking his young family
to the zoo. “You have to take advantage of days like this, if you
aren't even nominated.”
“Cavendish is having his problems right now. I have ridden some good
races,” Greipel continued. “When it comes down to a sprint, you can
count on me.”
The team has made it clear, at least to Greipel, that Cavendish is
their Number One, and he sees this as an indication that he – once
again – won't be nominated for the Tour de France. “I have been
satisfied with the team so far, but when I wasn't even at the start of
Milan-San Remo, then I have to figure that I will be making my summer
vacation on the Baltic Sea.”
Team manager Ralf Aldag would not comment on the Tour situation,
saying it was too early to worry about July. “First Andre will ride the
Giro d'Italia.” Until then, however, the 27-year-old is apparently
scheduled to ride only a few more races, Rund um Köln (April 5), Tour
of Turkey (April 11-18) and Rund um den Finanzplatz Frankfurt (May 1).
Cavendish is scheduled to ride the Tour of Catalunya, starting today, and the Tour of Flanders (April 4).
At the moment, Greipel is scheduled to ride the Giro d'Italia and
Cavendish the Tour of California. However, the Briton been considering
a return to the Giro, where he won three stages in 2009.
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The feed I've been getting is Cavendish is leaving. Looks like it's going to be Greipel.
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