Stop... Hammer Time!

The Hammer Series is an attempt to shake up the traditional race format. But will it hit the nail on the head?

- Felix Lowe

Back in 1990, shortly after Eddy Planckaert won the closest-ever Paris-Roubaix, Stanley Kirk Burrell (or MC Hammer to you or me) donned baggy pants and a yellow jersey as he threw down the prescient lyrics, ‘Now they know when you talk about the Hammer/You talk about a show that’s hyped and tight.’

Twenty-seven years later, that hyped and hopefully tight show is finally upon us thanks to Velon, the collective of 10 WorldTour teams that has already done its bit for race entertainment by introducing rider data and on-bike footage from the heart of the peloton. It’s now launching its own race with the inaugural Hammer Series from June 1 to 4 in the Dutch province of Limburg, home of the Amstel Gold Race.

In the words of Mr Hammer, let me, ahem, break it down: consecutive climb, sprint and time-trial events over three days will see teams – not individuals – vie to be crowned the world’s best.