Greipel claims hat-trick of victories at 2015 Tour de France by winning stage 15

Germany's Andre Greipel earned his third stage win of the 2015 Tour de France ©Getty Images

Germany's Andre Greipel continued his superb form at the 2015 Tour de France by winning the penultimate sprint stage of the race from Mende to Valence.

Having already claimed victories on stage two and five, Greipel was bidding to seal a hat-trick of victories at the end of the 183 kilometres stage 15, which would equal his best ever haul at the three-week race having achieved the feat in 2012.

The German was given an early boost as one of his main rivals for the victory, Britain's Mark Cavendish, was dropped from the main field after suffering from an illness overnight.

An eight-man breakaway group featuring France's Thibaut Pinot, Australia's Michael Rogers, Slovakian national champion Peter Sagan, Britain's Adam Yates and the world champion Michal Kwiatkowski of Poland developed.

As the stage offered the final opportunity for the sprinters to secure a win before the final stage in Paris, their teams were keen to chase the dangerous move, with Team Katusha particularly interested in hauling back the breakaway to set up the sprint for the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff.

With the pace of the chasing field eating into their lead two riders from the breakaway, Italy's Matteo Tretin and Canada's Ryder Hesjedal opted the attack their fellow escapees inside the final 50 kilometres of the stage.

Their move proved to be futile as the race was brought back together with 30 kilometres to go as the peloton approached Valence and the sprinters teams began to position their sprinters in the prime positions to take advance of the straightforward run in to the finish.

The sprinters teams ensured the breakaway would not succeed on stage 15 ©Getty Images

Despite missing several of his key lead out men, Greipel once again proved too strong for his rivals as he sprinted to victory in 3 hours 56 minutes and 35 seconds with fellow German John Degenkolb second and Kristoff third, while Sagan secured a top five finish for the tenth stage of this year's Tour, by coming home in fourth.

"I've worked for being more explosive but I don't know if I'm the fastest in this Tour," said Griepel afterwards.

"I'm one of the fastest but other sprinters are also in good condition.

"It helps to win at the beginning of the Tour, it has helped me this year for my confidence.

"But all of my career, I've been fast and I've won races, even at the Tour de France."

Britain's Chris Froome enjoyed a stress-free day in yellow with the sprinters teams taking control of the race, but he will expect to come under attack tomorrow as the 201km stage 15 from Bourg-de-Péage to Gap features several steep ascents and descents that his general classification rivals will hope to take advantage of.