Aussie cyclist has an incredible streak going that we may never see again

There are lots of popular records in cycling — most Tour de France victories, most wins in the classics, the hour record. And then there are little-known ones you don't hear about.

Adam Hansen has done what no one has done before: He has started and finished 17 grand tours — or three-week stage races — in a row. Over the past six years, he has completed six Tours of Italy, five Tours de France, and six Tours of Spain consecutively.

On May 28, Hansen notched No. 17 when he finished the 100th edition of the Giro d'Italia.

Given how difficult and perilous racing at cycling's top level can be, it's a mind-boggling record that the Australian says he never set out to achieve, and yet it's one that may never be broken.

Here's some insight into the world's most consistent professional bike racer:

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Hansen says he never intended to set any records.

Hansen has completed every one of cycling's grand tours since Spain's national tour in 2011. His achievement beat that of Marino Lejarreta, a Basque climber, whose record 10 straight finishes stood for two decades.

Here's how Hansen's current streak breaks down by year, race, and result:

2011 / Tour of Spain / 129
2012 / Tour of Italy / 94
2012 / Tour de France / 81
2012 / Tour of Spain / 123
2013 / Tour of Italy / 72
2013 / Tour de France / 72
2013 / Tour of Spain / 60
2014 / Tour of Italy / 73
2014 / Tour de France / 64
2014 / Tour of Spain / 53
2015 / Tour of Italy / 77
2015 / Tour de France / 114
2015 / Tour of Spain / 55
2016 / Tour of Italy / 68
2016 / Tour de France / 100
2016 / Tour of Spain /100
2017 / Tour of Italy / 93

So what has it taken to achieve such a record? "Being consistent and focused. You have to be very determined, and I guess you have to love it," he said.

Interestingly, he also said he never had this record as a goal, VeloNews reported. "I feel like I'm trapped by it and that I sort of have to keep going," he said.

Cycling is one of the world's hardest sports, and Adam Hansen is one of the world's most tenacious cyclists.

Hansen's main job as a pro bike racer is to ride as a "domestique" (French for servant). He is not paid to win races but to work for others on the team. Rain or shine, Hansen's teammates count on him to ride into headwinds and keep them well positioned in the pack, help them avoid crashing, bring them food and water, and give up a wheel if someone gets a flat.

At 36, Hansen's vast experience is key in grand tours where team leaders are under enormous pressure to deliver wins for their teams and sponsors. Hansen rides through all the elements to protect his teammates from whatever craziness the races throw at them.

At 6-1 and 170 pounds, his size comes in handy when push comes to shove and races heat up.

Hansen's expertise lies in helping others win.

One minute he might be called back to the team car to fetch water bottles for his teammates, and the next he might be tasked with leading out his team's sprinter to the line at 40 mph.

An Australian native from Southport, Queensland, one of his nicknames is "Croc Man." He is known for his playful sense of humor and advises his fans not to take him at all seriously.