Greg Henderson is excited about his 2012 plans

Henderson and Greipel working together again ©Sirotti

Sep 11, 11. Greg Henderson is to be reunited with Andre Greipel - the Kiwi fastman has chosen to leave Team Sky and join Lotto for 2012.

"I have decided to part ways with Sky Pro Cycling team," Henderson announced to RoadCycling.co.nz today.

"I had an enjoyable time with this new team and enjoyed helping it develop into a world cycling force.

"What I am excited about is joining Lotto and helping set up a formidable sprint train that will help deliver good friend of mine Andre Greipel."

Greipel and Henderson were a great combination when they raced together for HTC Columbia in 2008 and 2009.

"I know the talent this guy has, and the world has seen that if Greipel has perfect position then he is one of the very few that can beat the best in the world," said Henderson.

"I'm really happy to be moving into a leadout position because I know Andre trusts me and I know one of my attributes is pushing wind for position and then still being able to sprint."

In those HTC years, Greipel earned over 30 victories and most of the time Henderson was there leading him out. Henderson too, had a number of great wins during that time, the best being his Grand Tour stage victory at the Vuelta Espana in 2009.

On Stage 3 of that tour, the Kiwi was leading out Greipel when he realised the German was no longer on his wheel. Henderson found enough power to continue with his sprint and take a fantastic victory.

It was Greipel who pushed for Henderson to be included in the Vuelta team that year. When he won, Greipel told RoadCycling.co.nz, "He has done a lot for me in the season. I trust him and know he is good so it's good. Today was good for him because he deserves to win. Thank you New Zealand. Beautiful country."

In 2012, the two are to be reunited to once again to form a powerful sprint combination.

Henderson delivered Team Sky's first ever victory ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Fond farewell to Team Sky

He started in the best possible way when he won the team's first ever race, the Cancer Classic at the Tour Down Under in January 2010.

He followed that first victory by winning stages at Paris Nice, Ster Elektrotoer and the Tour of Britain that year where he also finished 3rd overall and won the Sprint Classification.

This year, as well as again being a critical teammate for Team Sky's many successes, he won a stage at Paris Nice and another at the Tour of California, but it was at the Tour de France he wanted to shine.

For the second year in a row, Henderson did not make the Tour team despite being in fantastic form.

The Kiwi rang Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford over the weekend to inform him he had made the decision to leave the team.

"We had a great conversation and he said some very nice things about me. He commented that last year I was one of the main weight bearers and result bringers of Team Sky. Another nice thing was the fact Dave said cycling is a business, and decisions are made based on this fact.

"I'm very appreciative of what Sky has done for me and Sky is happy with what I helped achieve during my two years there."

More to come in 2011

"I have flown my brother over from Dunedin to help train me, as I have had no racing for a long time leading into the Worlds," he said.

"Chris comes from a motorbike background, so has a brilliant feel on the throttle of the scooter. I'm doing all I can to be in my best condition for the Worlds in a couple of weeks."

Related - 2011/2012 team roster transfers and announcements