Lotto-Soudal: 'We knew Adam Hansen's Grand Tour record had to end sooner or later'
Belgian Lotto-Soudal squad announce their roster for the 2017 Vuelta a España and confirm that Adam Hansen won't be included, ending his record run of consecutive Grand Tour participations
Lotto-Soudal confirmed on Friday afternoon that Australian Adam Hansen has not been selected by the team for this year's Vuelta a España, ending his run of 18 consecutive rides in Grand Tours.
The Belgian team's sports manager Marc Sergeant said that a saddle sore that Hansen developed during the final week of the Tour de France in July put paid to his preparation and participation in the Vuelta.
“Adam was suffering from saddle sore at the Tour," said Sergeant. "There are less than four weeks between the end of the Tour and the start of the Vuelta.
"After less than two weeks the injury is healing, but has not disappeared, so the staff fears the injury might play up again during the Vuelta.
>>> Who’s riding the 2017 Vuelta a España?
"At the moment Adam hasn’t resumed training yet, so that means the preparation would be really short too. With the sporting goals in mind too, the staff decided not to select him.
"It’s true that Adam has set a fantastic record, but we knew that would come to an end sooner or later.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Hansen started his record-breaking run of Grand Tour participations at the 2011 Vuelta a España during the first year that he rode with the team, then known as Omega Pharma-Lotto. He has ridden and finished every Vuelta, Tour de France and Giro d'Italia since – 18 in all.
Lotto-Soudal have built a Vuelta team with opportunistic stage victories in mind, and we can expect to see their riders in escape groups – particularly Thomas De Gendt, who spent over 1,200km in escape groups in the Tour.
>>> After 18 consecutive Grand Tours, Adam Hansen will not be riding the Vuelta a España
Along with De Gendt, Lotto-Soudal have selected Sander Armée, Bart De Clercq, Jens Debusschere, Tomasz Marczynski, Rémy Mertz, Maxime Monfort, Rafael Valls and Jelle Wallays.
The 2017 Vuelta a España starts in Nîmes, France, with a team time trial on Saturday, August 19, and ends in Madrid three weeks later on Sunday, September 10.
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta Published
-
‘Current WorldTour system is killing all the smaller teams,’ says Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
South African ex-Lotto Soudal rider fears more teams could find themselves in B & B Hotels-KTM situation if the system doesn’t change
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Caleb Ewan ‘not going anywhere’ after team's relegation, says Lotto-Soudal
Spokesperson for Belgian team says that Ewan has expressed desire to stay and lead the team in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It's not been a great Tour for the sprinters’ - Caleb Ewan rues bad luck at the Tour de France after heavy crash on stage 13
Lotto Soudal sprinter involved in nasty crash with a teammate midway through stage into Saint-Étienne
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m still having to pinch myself a little bit, what a ride!' : Reinardt Janse van Rensburg’s journey to a sixth Tour de France
The 33 year old South African rider feared his career was over before Lotto Soudal came calling.
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Lotto Soudal pins Tour de France hopes on 'one of the fastest riders of the peloton', Caleb Ewan
Caleb Ewan, Philippe Gilbert, Andreas Kron and Tim Wellens all make the team's Tour de France lineup
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Racing every race like it's the last of the season: how smaller teams are overperforming this year
Lotto-Soudal and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux have won 11 races between them in 2022 after just 21 in all of last year, so what's going on?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Meet Florian Vermeersch, the history student and local councillor who finished second at Paris-Roubaix
The Lotto Soudal rider on living up to new expectations, the new approach of his team, and how time trialling helps in the Classics
By Adam Becket Published
-
Paris-Roubaix runner-up Florian Vermeersch posts incredible ride to Strava
The 22-year-old Belgian put in an astonishing ride on his 'Hell of the North' debut
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Last updated