31-year-old Niki Terpstra hopes to start the year on the right foot, by retaining the title he won at the previous edition of the Rotterdam Six.

One of the most established races on the track cycling calendar, celebrating this year eight decades since its inception, the Six Days of Rotterdam will see 14 teams lining-up at the start of this edition, the main favourite for taking the glory being the pair of Etixx – Quick-Step rider Niki Terpstra and Yoeri Havik. For Terpstra, who won the race together with Iljo Keisse three years in a row (2012-2014), Rotterdam will be a good occasion to test the legs ahead of the road season, which he's scheduled to start in the Challenge Mallorca.

"After a solid training block in December, I'm happy to return on the track at home. Having won the event in the past three seasons adds a little bit to the pressure of defending the crown, but it also means I know every meter of this velodrome and I'm prepared for all kinds of scenarios. We have a strong team and we hope to make the most out of our form", said Terpstra before traveling to Rotterdam for the race which will take place between the 7th and 12th of January.