“If you can extend your contract it obviously means you're doing something right”
In the wake of announcements this week that Greg Henderson and Bart de Clercq are extending two more years with the Lotto-Belisol team, the popular Australian Adam Hansen has also signed terms to continue for the same duration.
Hansen, who last year was the only rider to complete all three Grand Tours and who is aiming to do so again this year, has been with the team since 2011 and has settled in very well. He has been an important part of the leadout train for Andre Greipel, but has also clocked up important results in his own right.
Earlier this year he soloed to a spectacular stage win in the Giro d’Italia.
Like Henderson, he is known as one of the big jokers on the team, and therefore does much to keep morale high on the squad.
“If you can extend your contract it obviously means you're doing something right,” he said in response to the news of a new deal.
“There are many reasons why I chose to stay with Lotto Belisol. I like the mentality in the team. It's nice to have goals in the team when you're going to a race and that you can help riders like Jurgen Van den Broeck and André Greipel. But I also get to go my own chance and that's important to me as well.”
Part of those personal ambitions is living up to his hardman tag and doing all three Grand Tours. “I love taking part in Giro, Tour and Vuelta and the team gives me the opportunity to do that,” he said, before adding another somewhat obscure – and clearly tongue in cheek – reason for staying. “I got a puppy dog last year which I named him Lotto, so that's also a reason why I must stay with Lotto Belisol, because I can't change the name of my dog…”