Team LottoNL-Jumbo has started the Hammer Series in Stavanger with a third place. In the first of three races, the Hammer Climb, the points were gathered by a very strong Antwan Tolhoek. Tolhoek, who also showed his climbing talent in the Tour of California last week, raced very aggressively and was in the lead for a couple of laps, together with the winner of the Tour des Fjords, Michael Albasini. That way, Tolhoek collected the much needed points for the team. Tomorrow, the Hammer Series Stavanger continues with a sprint race. Sunday is the final day with a team pursuit.

“It went very well today. I’ve given everything”, Tolhoek said. “It’s a totally new concept for me. Normally, you have to wait the whole day, now you have to start racing straight away. It means you’ll have to flip a mental switch. I was in the lead with Albasini all day. We worked together well and I gained a lot of points. I’m happy that I can continue my form and progress after California.”

"It went better than I expected beforehand after having done Tour of Norway and the Fjords.". thus Pascal Eenkhoorn. "It was a very nice race and a lot different than usual. You are already riding the final once the race has started." 

“We scored a lot of points with Antwan here”, sports director Jan Boven said. “He’s also the only one who can do this on such a course. It was ideal for us that he was in the breakaway for a few laps. It proves that he left California in a good shape. For the rest of the series we will race offensively.”