Hardman Hansen to ride record-breaking Vuelta

Lotto-Soudal's Adam Hansen is set to etch his name in the history books by riding the Vuelta a España - his 13th Grand Tour in a row.

Adam Hansen will continue to race the 2015 Tour de France (Getty Images) Source: AFP

Hansen is set to take the record for the most consecutive Grand Tours finished if he arrives at the finish line in Madrid on 13 September, after equalling Marino Lejarrata's 12 consecutive races by completing the Tour de France last month.

Hansen's Tour was far from an easy one, though. He hit the deck on Stage 2 of the Tour, dislocating his AC joint. He shouldered on despite the injury, even riding Stage 9's team time trial on a standard road bike because he was unable to hold an aero tuck position, and ultimately reached Paris. He even found time for his customary beer on Alpe d'Huez on Stage 20.

“I was never targeting the record, but since I got close, I wanted to do it,” Hansen told VeloNews. “The crash made it very difficult.”

However, Hansen is committed to setting a new record for consecutive Grand Tours completed, and is planning to keep riding Grand Tours for the foreseeable future.

“I hope to keep the streak going,” Hansen said. “I just like the rhythm of racing for three weeks. I’d rather do that than travel to two or three separate races.”

Having signed a new contract with Lotto-Soudal until 2017, there's potentially another seven Grand Tours up for grabs. Would you bet against the Queensland hardman to ride 20 Grand Tours in a row? We wouldn't.