Rasmus Guldhammer joined CULT Energy Pro Cycling prior to the 2015 season and on several occasions in the first months of the year, he finished in the top-5 without climbing the top step of the podium. Now he’s back in Denmark to compete in the Tour of Denmark and he’s looking forward to meeting the Danish crowd and he has big personal ambitions-

“I spent all of July in Italy training for the Tour of Denmark. I know the area down there really well, I know the roads and climbs so I haven’t spent much time looking at maps in order to find proper training terrain. However, in the first few days of my build-up, I suffered from stomach flu but I’ve become stronger each day since then and right now, I feel in peak shape for the Tour of Denmark. I haven’t raced for a month but I guess it’s only a matter of a few kilometers in the peloton before the body remembers what to do,” 26-year-old Guldhammer grins and pinpoints the crucial stages of the race.

"It’s probably the hardest Tour of Denmark ever and it’s not only the time trial and the queen stage to Vejle where the time gaps can be made. If the Danish summer shows its gruesome side, the first two stages might be crucial for the overall outcome but seconds can be gained and lost on the short fourth stage as well. All in all, you simply have to pay attention and stay alert at all times during this Tour of Denmark if you want to make a good overall result. And that’s what I’m going for.”

Road racing runs in the Guldhammer family where both big brother Thomas, his father Michael and grand father John Guldhammer have all been among the best Danish riders of their time. Tradition and belonging is important for Rasmus and competing in the biggest Danish event on the streets of your childhood is a unique experience for all riders:

“Naturally, stage three in and around Vejle is especially significant. It’s up and down throughout the day on narrow roads and steep climbs and most riders know and nourish a special amount of respect for the local lap. Vejle is my hometown and it’s always a special feeling racing in the streets where you did your first pedal strokes. It would be fantastic and quite emotional to win that stage. However, I’m aware that the peloton matches the course rather well. It’s a difficult course and a strong field. In my book, the biggest favorite to win overall is Edvard Boasson-Hagen. He’s strong on the short, steep climbs and he can time trial really well. But we have a powerful and hungry team and we’re all eager to win on home ground," Guldhammer concludes.