WHAT'S THE GENERAL FORMAT?

The Hammer series is run over three days and is composed of three different events: the Hammer Climb, Hammer Sprint and Hammer Chase. The climb and sprint stages set the scene for the winner-takes-all handicap team time trial. The tactical complications begin before the race starts: teams bring squads of seven riders, but field five for each race. Juggling skills and talents, not to mention fatigue, is a real consideration over the three-day race.

Limburg hosted the world champs in 2012, and will host the irst Hammer event in June