'You're getting deported to Australia': Adam Hansen describes airport drama as he travels to training camp
Lotto-Soudal rider avoids deportation after getting officials to Google him
Pro cyclists are very experienced travellers, but Lotto-Soudal's Adam Hansen had something of a nightmare as he tried to travel to a training camp in the United Arab Emirates from his home in the Czech Republic.
Hansen holds two passports - an Australian one and an Italian one - and had sent the Italian one off to the Chinese Embassy in Milan to get a visa for the upcoming Tour of Guangxi.
That left him with just his Australian passport to get him to a training camp in the UAE, which unfortunately did not contain a stamp to show when he had entered Europe.
Writing for Velon, Hansen described the exchange: "I said - 'I entered on my Italian passport,' and they said - 'Well where is it?' I said - 'It’s in Milan at the Chinese embassy.'
"They said: 'Well you’ve overstayed in Europe, so you get deported directly to Australia.' They took me out the back and I was interviewed. They wanted to give me a €3,000 fine on top of deporting me.
Thankfully Hansen managed to avoid being deported, convincing officials that a quick internet search would confirm who he was.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> What do different airlines charge to fly your bike around Europe?
"It was a bit stressful," he continued. "I didn’t like to use the line, but I said: 'Google me, you’ll see I’m a cyclist and I’m going to race in China.' They Googled me and let me go."
Hansen completed his training camp in the UAE at the start of October, and is now back training in the Czech Republic before travelling out to the Tour of Guangxi, the final WorldTour race of the season, which starts on October 19.
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Is Lotte Kopecky's bog-standard Specialized Crux proof that you don't need wide tires and fancy suspension systems for gravel racing?
Kopecky finished second at Gravel Worlds on a bike with minimal modifications
By Joe Baker Published
-
Undercover Mechanic: Cyclists have become very excited about aerodynamics without a correlated excitement for pilates - the result is a lot of spacers
90% of the front area is you, not the bike; having a kamtail downtube will make sod all difference if you’re unable to reach the bars, argues CW’s Undercover Mechanic
By Undercover Mechanic Published