Saturday, 18 April 2020:
Australian cyclist Adam Hansen is embracing his second love of 3D printing during the coronavirus crisis, creating masks for medical workers in his Czech Republic hometown and building his own indoor farm.
The respected Lotto-Soudal domestique admits he's been "a little spoilt" while the season has been suspended because it's finally allowed him to finish side-projects that sat dormant for years.
A long-time fascination with 3D printing has seen Hansen design his own cycling shoe moulds. He also has a electric automation workshop where he is working on motor-powered laces.
Hansen, who is a vegan, has also constructed a hydroponic vertical farming system to ensure he can grow his own fresh produce.
And he has designed and printed his own fully-moulded "super slim" personal mask while supplying similar customised masks for local doctors and paramedics.
"This one doctor really liked it because it was fully sealed and his glasses didn't get foggy," Hansen told AAP.
"So that was pretty good to hear, then the ambulance next door found out so they also asked for some too, so I made a couple for them but with a different design again."
A veteran of 28 grand tours - 20 of those ridden consecutively between 2011-18 in what is an unmatched feat - Hansen has still been able to ride outside thanks to the country's regimented response to the pandemic.
He said the fact it was a former communist country meant the public responded positively to the government's orders, which included the rare demand to wear masks outside.
"It took three days to make masks for 11 million people here," the 38-year-old said.
"I saw the images of Bondi Beach when they had closed things in Australia and people just took it as a holiday, when in fact you are risking other people's lives.
"Here, everyone obeyed the government and we are in central Europe but have fewer deaths total (173 as of Sunday) compared to what our neighbouring countries have in a single day."
With a return to racing still months away, Hansen has preferred to tinker with his technique rather than clock long hours in the saddle.
But most of his time is spent in his workshop.
"I am really using this time to be productive and finishing all the projects that I was meant to finish a long time ago," he said.
"Physically I have had a break, but with some good dieting and fasting, I have already lost 5kg since my last race (in the UAE in February)."
