Adam Hansen back on Vuelta a España start list to ride 19th consecutive Grand Tour
Turns out the Australian Lotto-Soudal rider will be riding a 19th tour, as he replaces Rafael Valls after training crash
Adam Hansen will continue his record-breaking run of Grand Tours, replacing Lotto-Soudal team mate Rafael Valls at the Vuelta a España.
The 36-year-old has been drafted in following a crash which saw Valls break his hip, calling an early end to his season.
>>> Vuelta a España start list
The team reported last week that Hansen was suffering from a saddle sore, picked up in the last week of the Tour de France. He was not due to start the Spanish tour, marking the end of his run of 18 consecutive tours.
However, Lotto-Soudal are hopeful that he will be able to recover to support the team at the race, which begins on Saturday, August 19.
In a press release, they said: "The Australian had initially not been selected, but this late change will allow him to go on with his record-breaking run of Grand Tour participations.
"The sports directors and medical staff hope that his saddle sore will be sufficiently healed, but there is no doubt that Hansen will start his 19th Grand Tour in a row with determination."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The team has suffered a few setbacks, reporting: "Rafael Valls, as well as Jürgen Roelandts and Frederik Frison, will no longer race this season and Louis Vervaeke is still recovering from over-fatigue. The number of riders available for the last part of the season has therefore decreased significantly."
They failed to take a stage win at the Tour de France, and will be hoping for a more successful appearance at the Vuelta.
Australian rider Hansen has ridden every consecutive Grand Tour since the 2011 Vuelta - finishing every one and breaking Spanish rider Marino Lejarreta’s record of 10 consecutive Grand Tour finishes at the 2015 Giro. Now on number 19, it seems he may well double Lejarreta’s total.
Hansen has picked up two stage wins along the way - winning stage seven of the 2013 Giro and stage 19 of the 2014 Vuelta. His highest placing overall was 53rd at the 2014 Vuelta.
This year's Vuelta opens with a 13.7km team time trial, in Nîmes (France), with a further two stages in France before heading to Spain on Tuesday, August 22.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.
-
Wild new SRAM patent might make turbo trainers a lot easier to use
Patent claims new indoor trainer design will allow users to install their bicycles 'quickly and easily' with limited wear
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'All he had to do was say sorry' - Cyclist wins court case and £4k after being hit by driver
Harry Gray plans to spend his compensation on 'the trip of a lifetime'
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Lotto Dstny demands proof of controversial Caleb Ewan photo finish race result
The team's sprinter was judged to have finished second, despite inconclusive finish line imagery
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Philippe Gilbert offered Lotto Soudal manager role but turned it down
The Belgian team's previous boss resigned last month
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Lotto Soudal boss leaves as relegation looms over Belgian team
John Lelangue has been in charge of the squad for four years
By Adam Becket Published
-
Teams target up to four races a day in relegation points scramble
For Lotto-Soudal and Cofidis, the racing is only just beginning
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Lotto-Soudal sign former Qhuebka-NextHash pair until end of season
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg and Carlos Barbero will join Lotto-Soudal for the remainder of 2022
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
What did we learn from the first elite road races of the year?
Alejandro Valverde is still good; Lotto-Soudal are hungry for results; Biniam Girmay might be a force to be reckoned with
By Adam Becket Published
-
Philippe Gilbert to target results in big races - not 'easy wins' - in his final year
The Belgian former world champion says that he won't chase easy wins after 20 years in the pro peloton
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotto-Soudal launch new kit and extend Florian Vermeersch's contract
Red returns with vengeance for Belgian squad
By Adam Becket Published