He can beat the crosswinds, he can survive on climbs, and he can most certainly sprint, so it’s little surprise that Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) was on top of his game on stage three of the 2014 Tour of Oman.
The German champion fired another warning shot to his rivals as, backed as ever by a willing lead-out, Greipel and his team-mates checked the late attack instigated by defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky) and powered to another sprint victory.
It moved Greipel back to the head of the overall standings, although the undulating terrain to come may finally put paid to that, with the Lotto-Belisol’s focus now likely to switch toJurgen van den Broeck.
But for now the German champion is the toast of Oman, and photographer Bruno Bade, whose pictures we bring you with the kind permission of race organisers, the ASO, was on hand to capture the action.