Most of the biggest teams in cycling had committed to riding the new series which will radically change pro cycling if it catches on.
A new form of professional road racing has been launched which will pit teams against each other and abandoned the concept of first rider across the line being declared the winner.
And the action will also all unfold on circuits in a bid to make it more spectator friendly.
The Hammer Series, as it is called, has been developed by Velon and In-Front Media and will feature WorldTour and ProContinental teams.
Velon is owned by 10 of the 18 teams in the WorldTour.
The companies behind the new idea described the format in a media statement today.
“This is a team Vs team race where only a team can win,” it said.
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“On day 1 it’s the exciting Hammer Sprint. On day 2 the riders face the punishing Hammer Climb.
“The final day is the race decider – the Hammer Chase – where the leading team after the first two days starts first, the other teams are chasing and the ultimate winner of the race is determined by the first team over the line.
“Time gaps between teams will be based on fixed time gaps per position and bonus time gained during days 1 and 2.
“In true team pursuit style, the team whose fourth rider’s front wheel crosses the line first in the Hammer Chase is the race winner, earning points towards the overall Hammer Series.
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“The overall winner at the end of the Hammer Series earns the ultimate bragging rights as the best team in the world.”
It added: “Five riders from each team of seven are selected to tackle each day’s discipline with the ultimate goal to cross the finish line first after three punishing days.
“Each day will feature multiple laps of between 8-10km ensuring wherever fans are on the course they will get the ultimate view of the action.”
Each race will be no longer than two hours and the racing will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings in an attempt to establish it as a social event to attend and also to maximise on TV audience.
The first on the Hammer Series will take place in the Limburg region of Holland in early June, which will be a “showcase” promotion to introduce fans to the concept.
The racing has been devised as a spectator event and Velon will focus on the sharing of rider data from events and also its GoPro videos from inside the race that have proven so successful in recent years.
Alongside the professional teams races, the Hammer Series events will feature a festival of cycling including family mass participation activities, men’s and women’s pro-am challenges, a fan village, cycling expo and entertainment.
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