The Hammer Series is back with a bang and our squad is motivated to win the world’s only team-based professional cycling series.
The Hammer Series sees teams compete together, not as individual riders, making the Hammer format unique in elite professional cycling. This year, 14 of the world’s best teams are committed to another series of strength-sapping races, watched by thousands of people on the streets and millions online.
Last season, Deceuninck – Quick-Step was one of the main protagonists of the Hammer Series, winning in Limburg after a flawless performance throughout an action-packed weekend and then ending up second overall following an eventful last stop – which comprised two races instead of the usual three – in Hong Kong.
2012 World Champion Philippe Gilbert, who raced in both Limburg and Hong Kong last year, said: “This time, we want to win. No discussions. I really like this concept. It’s so intense, you have to fight for every point and every second out there.”
Teammate Fabio Jakobsen – the most successful neo-pro of the 2018 season – was emphatic: “We want revenge from last year. We are coming for them”, his feelings being echoed by Italian Champion Elia Viviani: “We are really motivated to win the Hammer Series. Come and try to beat us!”
Hammer Series events take place over three days with the Climb, Sprint and Chase on separate days. For last year’s final in Hong Kong, a “super Sunday” Sprint and Chase were held back-to-back on the same day to crown the overall series winner.
A new feature of the Hammer Series 2019 is the naming of a captain in each team. The captains will be their team’s figurehead, always a big part of any team sport and something cycling’s “Road Captains” will bring to the fore in Hammer races. The captains’ names will be revealed later.
Hammer Series 2019
Hammer Stavanger, Norway: 24-26 May
Hammer Limburg, Netherlands: 7-9 June
Hammer Hong Kong: 12-13 October
Photo credit: ©Sigfrid Eggers
