First Endurance rider André Greipel  (Columbia-HTC) won stage  5 of the Vuelta a Espana today.   After teammate Greg Henderson’s win on stage three in Holland and Greipel’s victory on stage four in Belgium, Columbia-HTC has now racked up three straight triumphs in the Vuelta.  With the time bonus for winning the stage, André has assumed the GC lead in the Vuelta.

“I had a tough time when the race came back here to Spain on Wednesday.  It was so much hotter than in Belgium, so I didn’t know what my condition would be like.  In fact, I spent most of the rest day shut up in my hotel room with the air conditioning on full blast!  But I felt a lot better today as the stage went on and I managed to come through for the victory.”  Already the leader of the points competition, Greipel is now in top position in the overall classification as well.

“We’ll defend both leads as best we can for as long as we can” commented Columbia-HTC sports director Brian Holm.  “It was a very difficult finish, with a steep climb inside the last 10 kilometres but we got through it ok.  [Columbia-HTC rider] Vicente Reynes remembered this finish from the 2005 race and kept us all informed so the guys were all at the front.  After that it was tricky, but we came through well. André’s in great shape, and although tomorrow’s stage is harder than today’s he won’t give up his race lead so easily.”

Provisional results

1 André Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia – HTC 4:27:54
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
3 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas

General classification after stage 5

1 André Greipel (Ger) Team Columbia – HTC 19:40:23
2 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 0:00:06
3 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Liquigas 0:00:17

Check back later for a full report with comments form André and other members of Columbia-HTC