From self less super-domestique to proactive president of the pro cyclists’ union, Adam Hansen discusses his lifelong endeavour to improve the world of cycling
Words Mark Bailey Photography Zac Williams
dam Hansen was never going to sit still in retirement. The Australian former pro is best known for his record stint of 20 consecutive Grand Tours between 2011 and 2018, and for his loyal service to sprinters Mark Cavendish and André Greipel at the T-Mobile/Columbia/High Road/HTC and Lotto/Belisol/Soudal franchises. But as a gifted polymath with eclectic interests, Hansen has a uniquely energetic mind.
While racing, he built his own ultra-light carbon shoes and pioneered new approaches, using narrower handlebars, adopting a vegan diet and doing cross-country skiing in winter. He has also lectured in computer programming at Queensland’s James Cook University and built his own cycling logistics software. Since retiring he has taken up Ironman, achieving an impressive 15th place at the 2021 World Triathlon Long Distance Championships. But in 2023 Hansen accepted his toughest challenge yet: the thankless, politics-drenched presidency of the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) – the largest union of pro cyclists in the world.
‘They asked me to put my hand up and be a candidate to be president, and I thought about it, but I was really enjoying doing triathlons, having time off and having a bit of a quiet life,’ admits Hansen, 42, a Queensland native who since 2004 has lived off-grid in Frýdlant nad Ostravicí in the Czech Republic, where he enjoys skiing, cycling and hiking in the mountains.
‘In my head I was 100% no. I’m not good at public speaking, I’m not good at politics, I’m too direct. But I like learning and testing myself so I thought, OK I’ll give it a shot. I put my hand up and it is just ten times the work that I was told. It is more than a full-time job. I have A a problem with my girlfriend at the moment because I’m always on my phone.’
Hansen’s reluctance to get into pro cycling politics is exactly why he is the right man for the job. Anyone with an ego or excessive ambition would fail, but Hansen’s introversion means he understands other riders’ reticence, and his diligence and selflessness ensure he is committed to authentic change.
‘I don’t like to play the political game,’ he admits. ‘I just like going straight into it. For example, we had a call with the president of the UCI [David Lappartient] yesterday. That’s when all the riders can ask ques
