Mitchelton-scott claim close Hammer Series title
Australian team cling on in Hong Kong, reports Richard Windsor
Mitchelton-scott successfully held on to their lead to claim the 2018 Hammer Series title in Hong Kong on Sunday. The Australian team led ahead of Quick Step Floors heading into the final round of the three-event series, with the teams having won in round one in Stavanger, Norway, and round two Limburg, the Netherlands, respectively.
Unlike the previous events, the Hammer Series took place over the course of just one day in the heart of Hong Kong with a Hammer Sprint and a Hammer Chase to decide the overall winners.
Hammer Sprint
Mitchelton-scott forged ahead after winning the Hammer Sprint at the start of the day, although Quick Step were then able to score maximum points on lap seven, eight and nine and by the end of the race, looked as though they might have won.
However, the result was changed shortly after the finish as it was revealed some riders from Quick Step had rejoined the leading group a lap after having punctured, leaving Mitchelton-scott as the winners.
Hammer Chase
That result in the sprint meant it was Mitchelton-scott who were first to leave the start in the Chase, with Quick Step leaving shortly after and needing to hunt them down to win the overall title.
A strong opening lap from Mitcheltonscott saw the team wield an advantage of 25 seconds. That began to come down as the five-lap race went on; with three laps to go
the gap stood at 13 seconds. It came down to the wire in the final lap, but in the end Quick Step fell just short of catching Mitcheltonscott before the line.
“It is a really good way to round out the season for us,” said Mitchelton-scott rider Cameron Meyer at the finish. “To finish it off here in such a big city like Hong Kong is really good.
“I am pretty wrecked. We weren’t able to get much rest between the Hammer Sprint and the Hammer Chase so it is a hard format. It is an exciting race and I think the fans enjoy it and the riders really get into it.”
Swift Ôcloseõ to new team
Meanwhile Ben Swift, who was racing in Hong Kong, told CW he was “close” to signing a deal with a new team after two “difficult” years at UAE Emirates.
“We’re in the final discussions now, so hopefully there should be something announced in the next few days,” Swift said.
“Joining UAE was a now or never moment in my career and I needed to try and see if I could be something better.”