Adam Hansen is set to line up tomorrow at the start of the Giro d’Italia with the aim of completing a record fourteenth consecutive Grand Tour.
Once again, the Lotto-Soudal rider plans on racing in all three Grand Tours this year, which he has done every year since 2012.
On the eve of the race start in the Netherlands, the Australian outlined what he feels makes the Giro so special and also his plans for the race.
Adam Hansen: “The Giro will be my fourteenth consecutive Grand Tour and it’s nice that I’ve come this far. But I treat it as any other race, regardless the number. I want to do this race as much as anyone even though I have done so many Grand Tours. To me it has just become something I do. Also this year I am motivated to ride all three Grand Tours. I do this because I enjoy the style of racing. It’s a mix of many different styles and I like to be on the road and have race after race after race.”
“The Giro is the most passionate one of the three Grand Tours according to me. I just love Italy and the atmosphere at the race there. During the stages we often pass beautiful places, but unfortunately it’s very difficult to remember exactly where. In all those years I’ve crossed the whole country and have seen a lot of amazing places which aren’t the typical tourist destinations, it’s these places I like the most.”
“But it’s not all fun of course. The Giro always has a super hard profile and the weather conditions can be difficult. You know it’s going to be a tricky and hard race. I already had some good years in the past though, with wins working for André Greipel and for Mark Cavendish many years ago. And then there’s of course my own stage win in 2013 in Pescara. It was such a difficult stage, the weather was bad and there were so many climbs and crashes and then it’s so nice to come in solo in the rain. My first Grand Tour stage will never be forgotten.”
“For sure people will see me in action again this edition, in breakaways and aiming for a good result. I can’t tell when and where yet, that also depends on the team tactics. Only one thing is sure: it is my birthday on 11 May, when it’s the fifth stage. I’m not such a birthday fan and I don’t like the fuss, but people always remind me. The team likes to celebrate it, but for me it’s just another day.”
