Greipel wins in Hamburg as Cavendish falls

(L to R) Second placed Norway's Alexander Kristoff, winner Germany's Andre Greipel and third placed Italy's Giacomo Nizzolo celebrate on the podium of the 20th Hamburg cyclassic cycling competition

BERLIN - German sprinter Andre Greipel, who won four stages on this year's Tour de France, survived a fall after just 10 kilometres to win Hamburg's Cyclassics race on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Lotto Soudal rider, who was born in the north German city of Rostock, relished his first victory in Hamburg to win in four hours 57.05 minutes ahead of Norway's Alexander Kristoff and Italy's Giacomo Nizzolo in a blanket finish.

A crash ended the hopes of Britain's Mark Cavendish, who had been amongst the pre-race favourites.