Hansen wants the double

By Susan Westemeyer

Adam Hansen of Team Columbia is looking to defend his Australian national time trial title and add the road title to his palmarès, too. But he knows that the presence of teammate, and three-time World time trial champion Michael Rogers will make his task more difficult.

"I'd like to go one better than last year," he told Cyclingnews this week. In January 2008, Hansen won the time trial title and finished second in the road race. "With a first and second, the only thing better is two firsts. I will be riding for it." Both courses suit him well, he added.

Hansen knows that he will face a tough competitor in Rogers. "It won't be easy with Michael in the TT. He is a far better rider than I am. So it won't be an easy task at all. Not at all. But it will be fun trying, I think it will be a lot of fun trying. And that's what I do best, trying..."

The 27-year-old sees better chances for himself in the road race. He has finished second in the event the last two times he participated, and said, "I'd like to think I have come a long way since last year."

His main focus will be on the road race, as it was in January 2008. "I prefer the training for it, as you can train for a single day race and do your base training for the season almost at the same time. But training for a TT at the beginning of the season and base work at the same time is not the best for either goals."

After the nationals, he will stay on in Australia and ride the Tour Down Under before flying to the US for the Tour of California. He will then enjoy a short break before starting the next part of his season.