Greipel defies wind to claim stage three of Tour of Turkey

The unstoppable German claimed yet another victory in Konya as his team guided him expertly to the final few hundred metres on a day when high winds battered the peloton, and Greipel powered to the head of a small bunch sprint at the expense of Team Roth's Alberto Cecchin.

Spain's Pello Bilbao of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA took over the leader's turquoise jersey as Lampre-Merida’s Przemyslaw Niemiec's fell back down the field in tough conditions which spread the field out: only eight men finished within two minutes of Greipel.

Greipel's team-mate Kris Boeckmans came third as Lotto-Soudal riders took six of the first eight spots, and the winner admitted that he felt for his colleague and friend, who has worked tirelessly to get back from a life-threatening accident at last year's Vuelta a Espana.

"I have won a lot of races in the past," Greipel said.

"It’s a shame that only one of us can be declared the winner today. I tried to convince the sport director [Mario Aerts] to let somebody else win but he decided to stick to the plan and the plan this morning was for me to win. It’s been a long way for Kris to come back to the condition he has now.”

1. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal 5:45:54

2. Alberto Cecchin (Ita) Team Roth "

3. Kris Boeckmans (Bel) Lotto Soudal "

4. Nicola Toffali (Ita) Team Roth +02"

5. Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto Soudal +09"

6. Stig Broeckx (Bel) Lotto Soudal "

7. Gert Dockx (Bel) Lotto Soudal "

8. Frederik Frison (Bel) Lotto Soudal "

9. Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre - Merida +2:13

10. Riccardo Stacchiotti (Ita) Nippo - Vini Fantini "