Andre Greipel makes winning start to Tour Down Under

German cyclist Andre Greipel has won Stage 1 of the Tour Down Under in Lobethal.

The two-time winner of the competition held off the challenge of Frenchman Arnaud Demare and Mark Renshaw of Australia, who finished second and third respectively.

The 30-year-old completed the first stage with an impressive sprinting finish, keeping France's Blel Kadri at bay as he tried to push for a win with 6km of the race remaining.

"We expected more attacks," said Greipel of Lotto. "The team did an awesome job again.

"It was hard to control and keep me up the front but the team did an awesome job."

Greipel won Tour Down Under in 2008 and 2010.