Greg Henderson back delivering victory

Greg Henderson celebrates with Lotto Belisol staff after he helped Andre Greipel win the Down Under Classic  ©Ben Christian

Jan 15th, 12. In his first race for Lotto Belisol, Greg Henderson proved why the team wanted him on board this season - he and Andre Greipel are a winning combination.

In the Down Under Classic, the criterium warm-up to the pro-tour Santos Tour Down Under event, Henderson was the penultimate rider in the team's very active lead out train.

He delivered Greipel into position for victory.

After pulling up when Greipel came around him to take the win, Henderson crossed the line in 9th place with his arms held high in the air sharing his teammate's victory.

"I am so happy right now, it's good to be back," Henderson told RoadCycling.co.nz.

Lotto Belisol took control in the final laps of the 51km race around central Adelaide and despite Henderson's old team Sky ProCycling trying to cut in, it was the Kiwi's team in the lead coming around the final lap - just as Henderson had schooled them to do.

Greg Henderson in action ©Ben Christian

Flying down the finishing straight it was Henderson - who himself won this race in 2010 - leading the charge with Greipel right behind him.

Boasson Hagen (Sky) worked hard to catch on to the German's back wheel and although he looked impressive, Greipel shook him off in the final metres with a surge of speed which will surely put the peloton on notice.

The Henderson / Greipel combination is a winning won once more.

In 2009, Henderson teamed with Greipel in Team Columbia colours. It was the year Greipel took 21 victories, many of which came thanks to help from the Kiwi. 

After two seasons apart, and many more wins between them, the pair are back with a vengeance.

"As a team, we didn't want to race with too much pressure but it worked out well," said Greipel who arrived in Australia super fit and ready to race.

Henderson also lined up with great form, he won the first race of the year, Stage 1 of the Jayco Classic.

"We practiced a lot of lead out train before this race and it paid off. It's always good to win and it's a great way to start a new season," added Greipel.

"It wasn't very difficult for me actually. I only had to follow Greg Henderson who himself followed Jurgen Roelandts. I just needed to stay on their wheel and get out with 200 metres to go.

"The race organisation did a good job in making the final corner a bit wider. It was less dangerous than in the past few years.

Henderson and Greipel on their victory lap ©Ben Christian

"Today's win is a good warm up for the Santos Tour Down Under. It puts our team Lotto-Belisol on the right track."

Greipel is a two time winner of the Santos Tour Down Under and is now one of the big favourites for this year's edition which begins on Tuesday (see stage profiles).

Podium results;

 1. Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol)

 2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky ProCycling)

 3. Heinrich Haussler (Garmin Barracuda)

Story by Sarah Christian

The Lotto Belisol train with Henderson and Greipel at the rear ©Ben Christian

Graham Watson captures Greipel's win with Henderson celebrating behind him ©Graham Watson