I have a huge capacity for watching bike racing on TV. I’ll watch hours of it even when nothing is really happening. I’m certainly not bragging. So I’m quite certain I could sit in the cramped, possibly smokey, noisy, Gent velodrome and watch an evening of six-day racing. I bet the ratio of men to women (who actually want to be there) is 10,000 to 0. Add the availability of beer and frites and I’m sorry to say, we have a pretty damn fine night out in Belgium.
I have never been to a six-day event. It’s on the big list. It will take considerable alignment of the planets for it to ever happen but I sure hope it does. If one goes on the Keepers Tour in April one could ride in two velodromes, neither of which are the Gent velodrome and by April the six-day season is long over.
But right now, while Bjarne is climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, Boonen is clubbing in Monaco and the rest of us are months away from Milano-Sanremo, many people just like us went to bed at 3am and will be back in a velodrome by 6pm tonight to do it again.
Here is a brief explanation of a modern six-day race.
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I realize this comment is late and shamelessly self-promotional, but this year I'm going (or have been) to all of the Sixes, minus Zürich. Have a look at http://www.sixdaze.net if you have a minute, I'd love some feedback. Happy as well to share opinions and tips, for those of you planning on traveling to a six, drop me a line!
In fact, the header image of this post is one I took in Ghent in 2012. That was Mr. Zijlaard's last race as a derny driver - that doesn't make up for the poor photograph, of course, but it still makes me smile to remember the show.
What TV program shows the Ghent six day cycling in Belgium I can't find any
Resurrecting this thread - I took my son to Gent a fortnight ago and it was superb. We had the hospitality tickets, and yes the food was random (but plenty) as was the beer and wine. The atmosphere was superb, especially as it was basically the brits (with support in the thousands) v the local hero Keisse (who's sister runs a cycling bar in Gent that we visited).
We'll return next year - how about a Cogal of sorts? We used Sports Tours International and they were excellent.
@davidlhill
i'm trying to go this fall, as it will also allow the opportunity to view the duinencross. it's on my list to see a six day for my whole adult life. indeed, i'd rather this, than to see a grand tour live.