Six Days

The 102^nd Berlin Six Day starts in the German Capital on Thursday night. This event is one of the classics of the winter track calendar but, despite that, Six Day racing continues to be in decline.

This is not just something that can be laid at the door of the global economy, rather just a fact of life that times change. As events have abandoned established Six Day cities such as Dortmund, Munich and Stuttgart in recent years due to lack of sponsors and public interest it is left too Berlin - and Bremen - to fly the flag in the country that was once the European home of Six Day racing.

The final day of the Ghent Six promised a big tussle between the Belgian World Madison Champions De Ketele / Van Hoecke and local hero Iljo Keisse with Glenn O’Shea. They didn’t disappoint.

There are tired legs in the bunch but on a wet and windy Saturday night in Ghent all roads again led to Het Kuipke for another sell out beer and bike racing fest.

Here in Ghent Friday night has always been the big night of the Six. Its not just about the beer it’s about the cycling and fans of all ages bring the wife or girlfriend to what is for all concerned, a big night out. A number of the revellers are ex-riders many of whom no doubt spend the night reminiscing on their time pedalling around the hallowed boards of Het Kuipke.

The crowds filed into Het Kuipke in the thousands to meet friends, drink a beer or two and watch the 72nd Ghent Six as it approached the all important weekend.

Once again the wheels will whirr, the crowds will flock and the beer will flow at the 72^nd Six-days of Flanders, Ghent (Zes-Daages Van Vlaanderen, Gent) starting in the legendary Het Kuipke on Tuesday.