André Greipel
The 'Gorilla' of the sprint, a powerhouse German rider who amassed over 150 professional wins by mastering the chaotic, high-speed final dash to the line.
Born 1982 (age 44)·German road bicycle racer·Birthday: July 16·Millennials
Biography
André Greipel was the archetypal pure sprinter, a broad-shouldered force of nature built for one thing: winning mass gallops. In an era dominated by Mark Cavendish, Greipel carved out his own kingdom, becoming one of the few riders to consistently challenge and beat the best. His career was a testament to meticulous preparation and raw power, often working with a dedicated lead-out train he trusted implicitly. Major stage race victories came in all three Grand Tours, with multiple stage wins in the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España. While he lacked the flamboyance of some rivals, his consistency was staggering, racking up victories season after season. After retiring, he smoothly transitioned into coaching, aiming to impart his hard-won knowledge of the sprint craft to a new German generation.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
André was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When André Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
André's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won 11 stages at the Tour de France, including a prestigious victory on the Champs-Élysées in 2015.
- Secured 7 stage wins at the Giro d'Italia and 4 at the Vuelta a España, achieving Grand Tour stage wins across all three races.
- Claimed the overall title at the 2009 Tour Down Under, a UCI ProTour race.
- Amassed over 150 professional victories during his 16-year road racing career.
Did You Know?
His nickname is 'Der Gorilla' (The Gorilla), a reference to his powerful physique and sprinting style.
Greipel holds a degree in sports management from the University of Leipzig.
He continues to compete in masters-level cycling events for his local club, RC Schmitter Köln.
“I'm not a guy who talks a lot. I prefer to do my talking on the bike.”
