Queensland's Adam Hansen will lead the Omega Pharma - Lotto team next month in his debut at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

The 2008 Australian time trial champion has forged a reputation in his three grand tour appearances as a key engine for his team mates being the ideal man to control the pace of the peloton and ultimately set up a sprint finish, first for Mark Cavendish at HTC-Highroad and this year with Andrei Greipel.

30 year old Hansen signed to Omega Pharma - Lotto at the request of Greipel to provide support in sprint finishes.

A reserve for the Australian team for last week's UCI Road World Championships in Denmark Hansen says he is looking forward to racing down under.

"It's going to be nice that's for sure. I really enjoy racing in countries with nice weather and with the Jayco Herald Sun Tour being in Australia it's a great way for me to end my season," Hansen said. "It will also be my first Jayco Herald Sun Tour and I'm looking forward to finally racing it.

"Overall it would be nice if we win a stage and prove we are there to put a show on. It's exciting for all of our riders to come to Australia and race. We are all really motivated," Hansen said.

Supporting Hansen will be 2010 junior Paris-Roubaix runner-up Jens Debusschere, 2005 Paris-Nice stage winner Vicente Reynés, sprinter Kenny Dehaes, UCI WorldTour season debutant Maarten Neyens and 2003 Belgian under-23 time trial champion Olivier Kaisen.

Omega Pharma-Lotto Sport Director Michiel Elijzen says the team will be doing everything they possibly can to support Hansen in his bid for a maiden home-soil tour victory.

"Team goals are helping Adam Hansen ride a good general classification and individually, everybody's ambition is to try to win a stage," Elijzen.

"I expect the same as the Tour of Beijing. We have a good chance of riding well in the GC with Adam Hansen and all the other riders should be capable of winning a stage. I expect a hard but beautiful race and a good time to enjoy Australia."

One rider who will be able to offer experience of racing in Australia is Olivier Kaisen, who has ridden the past four Santos Tour Down Under races in Adelaide, coming third in the mountains classification in 2009. The 2003 Belgian under-23 time trial champion will also be riding in his first Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

"I have already ridden the Tour Down Under four times and the Jayco Herald Sun Tour will be my fifth race in Australia. I like this country. I hope my good form at the moment will continue," Kaisen said. "I hope we can have good results there. I think Adam Hansen will be motivated to do good things in his own country."

The 2011 Jayco Herald Sun Tour will to be held from Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 October and will visit Whittlesea, Ballarat, Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula before the final stage circuit race on Lygon Street in Melbourne.

Visist the event website for more information - www.jaycoheraldsuntour.com.au

Source: Cycling Australia