Hansen to scale new heights at the Giro d'Italia

Australian Adam Hansen will line up for the Giro d’Italia in support of Belgian Jurgen Van den Broeck and German André Greipel, who will be the protected riders for Lotto-Soudal.

Adam Hansen will line up for his 11th consecutive Grand Tour on 9 May (Getty)

Hansen will be riding his 11th consecutive Grand Tour in his quest to set a new mark for endurance in the sport.

“Adam Hansen will ride his eleventh Grand Tour in a row. He can definitely have a go of his own on some days. In the sprint he’ll have to work for André Greipel. In tougher stages it’s a priority to help out Jurgen Van den Broeck,” said Sports director Bart Leysen.

Greg Henderson, Sander Armée, Lars Bak, Stig Broeckx, Maxime Monfort, and Louis Vervaeke will join Hansen, Van den Broeck and Greipel for the 9 May race which begins with a team time trial in San Lorenzo al Mare, Italy.

“Jurgen Van den Broeck is the absolute leader for the GC,” Leysen said. “We aim for a top ten place with him. He’s in the right headspace and is really motivated.

“Jurgen went to Tenerife for a training camp. This week he takes part in the Tour de Romandie. Considering he has just come back from an altitude training camp he has to get some competition rhythm now.

“Obviously André Greipel is our sprinter, we want to win a stage with him as soon as possible. I expect at least seven chances to sprint.

“Then there are stages in which a reduced peloton will sprint for the victory and André Greipel can be part of that group. Greg Henderson (NZL) will be the lead-out man for André in the sprints.”