Adam Hansen responds to unhappy riders after racing in extreme heat
Some riders were “screaming” and “yelling” at Hansen during the stage because they were unhappy to be racing in temperatures that soared to 48 C
After a scorching hot stage of the Tour Down Under on Thursday, Adam Hansen was forced to defend his role in ensuring the riders rights were respected by race organizers. The Lotto-Soudal rider serves as a representative on the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA), the closest thing WorldTour riders have to a union. Hansen alleges he received abuse from riders in the peloton who were unhappy to be racing in temperatures hovering as high as 48 C.
The Australian has been involved with negotiations with the Tour Down Under organizes to ensure the health and well being of the riders was taken into consideration during the extreme weather faced by the riders. Thursday stage was particularly hot. Stage 3 was shorted by 26 km as two laps of the circuit were removed so riders didn’t have to race in the heat for as long. Stage 4, won by Peter Sagan, started an hour earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day.
That didn’t stop some riders from focusing their displeasure with Hansen allegedly “screaming” and “yelling” at him out on the road.
To some of the riders at @tourdownunder …. we have had 2 laps taken away yesterday. Today we started an hour earlier. I'm trying here. But…. pic.twitter.com/hwttkrpzMJ
— Adam #Vegan Hansen (@HansenAdam) January 19, 2018
“I had mixed reactions about the heat today,” Hansen wrote after Stage 4. “Yes there were many riders who wanted to stop the race. But there were also riders who wanted to continue.”
Hansen’s role involves speaking to various riders to try and find suitable solutions. “There was even one Spanish rider who I asked if it was too hot said, ‘If it’s too hot for some people then tell them not to start their season at the TDU,’
“What I really don’t appreciate is after the last climb a rider yelling at me and saying that everyone wanted to stop. Screaming at me and saying that I am the only one who wants to race in this heat,” Hansen recounted after Sagan sprinted to victory.
“You are wrong. The ones who complained wanted to stop. The quiet ones were OK to continue. Get your facts right, not everyone shares your opinion,” Hansen shot back.
The UCI has an extreme weather protocol which allows race organizers, riders, teams and commissaries to modify or cancel races in weather that could adversely affect the health or safety of the riders. In the face of strong winds, snow, heavy rain, extreme heat or bad air quality races can and have been modified.
Hanse does the work for the CPA voluntarily and says he has spent his own money to try and help riders. “I don’t need to waste my own personal time to do first for my benefit. Please be more considerate,” Hansen concluded by saying.
The Tour Down Under wraps up on Sunday with a circuit race in downtown Adelaide. Daryl Impey leads the race overall with Stage 5 winner Richie Porte tied on time after the summit finish on Willunga Hill.
