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Team Columbia Juggernaut Led by Andre the Giant to Compete Down Under

Team Columbia’s Andre Greipel will return to the 2009 Tour Down Under to defend his 2008 title, bringing with him an experienced team.

Tour Down Under Race Director Mike Turtur is thrilled that the reigning champion will hit the streets of Adelaide in January to defend his Tour Down Under title.

“In 2008 Andre Greipel had the best season of his career, all set on a solid foundation of victory at the 2008 Tour Down Under,” said Mike Turtur.

Andre Greipel went on to finish fifth overall in the UCI ProTour rider rankings this year.

“Team Columbia is sending a very strong line-up to compete at the 2009 Tour Down Under,” said Mike Turtur.

“The inclusion of an experienced rider such as Hincapie, who is such a reliable and solid competitor, will really add to our world-class cycling spectacle.”

A thirteen-time Tour de France veteran, George Hincapie was a former teammate of Lance Armstrong who played an important role in all of Lance’s seven Tour de France victories.

“The Tour Down Under will be the first time that Hincapie and Armstrong will compete against each other on opposing teams,” said Mike Turtur.

2002 Tour Down Under winner Michael Rogers will make his return to the event for the first time since 2005.

Team Columbia’s (formerly called Team Highroad) line-up for the 2009 Tour Down Under will be led by Team Manager, Alan Peiper (AUS) and include riders: Andre Greipel (GER), George Hincapie (USA), Michael Rogers (AUS), Bernhard Eisel (AUT), Mark Renshaw (AUS), Greg Henderson (NZ) and Adam Hansen (AUS).

The 2009 Tour Down Under will be staged in South Australia from 18–25 January 2009. More rider and team announcements will be issued over the coming weeks.