After the initial introduction last week, we are now revealing the next five Hammer Captains of this year’s Hammer Series.
The Hammer Captains will drum up support among fans by providing exclusive content on social media and will lead their team’s cheering even if they’re not participating in a Hammer race.
These riders will take on the role of leader while battling it out during the Hammer Climbs, Sprints and Chases and as team ambassador when not in the saddle.
After announcing Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates), Brenton Jones (Delko Marseille Provence), Cameron Meyer (Mitchelton-SCOTT), Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) and Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) last week, we’re now ready to reveal the next five Hammer Captains:
Sam Bennett | BORA - hansgrohe
Greg van Avermaet | CCC Team
Timo Roosen | Team Jumbo-Visma
Owain Doull | Team Sky
Krister Hagen | Riwal Readynez
The final captains will be revealed next week. See our Hammer Captains page for those already announced.
“Hammer Stavanger will be my first Hammer Series race and I am really looking forward to it. It’s a completely new style of racing, which is very interesting for the fans and spectators to watch. I’m curious to see what my BORA - hansgrohe teammates and I can achieve in the Hammer Series, as we will ride the whole series for the first time. It is an honor to be the Hammer Captain and it really motivates me.”
“I’m excited to be the Hammer Captain for CCC Team. I had my first taste of the Hammer Series last year and it was really hard, explosive racing. This year, we’re going to give it everything we have and take it to the other teams. You need to have a diverse roster that can cover the three different types of races and I’m looking forward to leading the team. I hope all of our fans cheer us on from the sidelines and from at home and see us crowned the winners of the Hammer Series!”
“These races in the Hammer Series are really tough. It’s suffering right from the start but motivation won’t be a problem for us. To the other teams I say: ‘Make sure you’re ready because we will be fighting hard for this one’.”
“The Hammer Series is a unique style of racing where as riders we can go all in every day and there are no easy days! It’s the most intense race you do all year and I believe with the mixture of riders we have for the Hammer Series we can be competitive across all the rounds.”
“I’m really looking forward to competing in the Hammer Series this year. Especially in my home town of Stavanger against the best teams in the world. They have made some really cool courses up here in the north. I can’t wait!”
The first Hammer event in 2019 takes place in Stavanger from May 24-26, while the next one follows in Limburg from June 7-9.
Hong Kong hosts the final event from October 12-13. All races will be available to watch online worldwide.