Lotto Soudal's Adam Hansen said he fully supports and "completely understands" the team's newly introduced no-alcohol policy for all staff and riders at the race.

General Manager John Lelangue announced the Belgian team's decision to ban alcohol earlier this week, saying it is "part of the way we live together." He confirmed that players and staff could celebrate victories, birthdays, and "special events" with champagne.

Hansen smiled to Cycling News at the Tour Down Under on Thursday.

"But I totally get it. On a purely practical level, if you're wearing work clothes, you shouldn't be drinking. I understand John's point, and he made his decision." But I don't think any company in the world would want their employees drinking on the job or drinking in their work clothes."

Lerangue told Het Nieuwsblad earlier this week: "This measure has been applied in many companies. This measure has been applied in many companies. The majority of our staff also thought this was a good idea. We are still a friendly team without alcohol. It is also nice to have a cup of coffee together."

Hansen added that the code of conduct at his former team, HTC Colombia, also included a ban on alcohol.

"We are an alcohol-free team, our staff works 100%, our riders work 100%.

"But there are rumors that John is saying this so we can win more.

"I know the team staff are a little more affected than we are as riders. Here in Adelaide we have a lot of bars, but I don't want to see the whole team drinking when the fans walk past.

"They're probably not doing anything wrong - they're just having one beer - but the appearance of it could be taken out of context.