A thought from the Gent Six Day 2010: It would be easy to go native, work all the Sixes, get a job in a bike shop or with a little team for the summer, forget the “25” champs, the ‘day job.’
The Sixes are seductive, the rolling presentation, the music, the lights, the banter, the ‘insider’ chat, the gleaming bikes, the pretty girls, the total isolation from reality.
But maybe it’s because it’s only three or four times each year that it’s so special.
The place was bursting at the seams on night two; I’m writing this as the rolling presentation for night number three is underway.
Ticket sales were through the roof even when Iljo’s participation was in doubt.
With Iljo here, it’s madness – but the presh is on the man; he’s in the paper every day, he finishes a race and a TV camera get stuck up his nose and when he’s on the line there’s the ‘Iljo song’ – easily learned; “Eel-ee-oo, Eel-ee-oo…” and so on.
The days fly past here, much more so than at Grenoble – up at 10:00, shower, shops, sort the washing, tidy the cabins, send my pictures and by that time the guys are arriving.
There are always a loads of errands to run, the salads and meat to prepare, jerseys to launder, dishes to wash – and try and fit the journalism in too.
The race?
Like Kris says, Van Bon & Stam are keeping a low profile – saving it for Sunday night?
Alex and Michael are defending Gent champions and former World Champions and not prone to ‘low profile.’
They’re notching points steadily and always want to win.
Iljo? he carries the weight of a City, a region on his slim shoulders. But sometimes it looks like four months without competition is taking it’s toll on the man who grew up on this track. Schep is doing a noble job in support, it has to be said.
Bartko & Hondo look mean and De Ketele would murder his granny to win here in Gent; partner Leif Lampater wouldn’t mind so much, either.
Franco isn’t at his best, but still going better than most – that doesn’t win you Gent, though; a podium would be fine.
Looking good but not ‘podium fodder’ are the other Danish team, our boy Jens-Erik Madsen and Marc Hester, who’s a changed man this year.
Much friendlier and training in a more committed fashion – it shows in the chases.
Tomorrow night, Thursday, night three, will be a late one – 02:00 am. They’ve extended the second chase to 40 minutes and bunged in more Dernys and sprint series. “If in doubt, add Dernys” is the motto – anything to keep them beer tokens shifting.
Kris just worked out my wages – 3.75 euros / hour.
Maybe I won’t go native after all.
Tot morgen!
Gent Six Day 2010 – Night Two Results
Team Presentation
1 Alex Rasmussen – Michael Morkov (Den) Callant Verzekeringen – Santens
2 Iljo Keisse – Peter Schep (Bel/Ned) John Saey – Mega Deschacht
3 Danny Stam – Leon Van Bon (Ned) AA Drink
4 Robert Bartko – Danilo Hondo (Ger) Lotto
5 Kenny De Ketele – Leif Lampater (Bel/Ger) Mercator Verzekeringen
6 Tim Mertens – Pim Ligthart (Bel/Ned) Topsport Vlaanderen
7 Tosh Van der Sande – Andreas Müller (Bel/Ger) Euro Tyre
8 Luke Roberts – Morgan Kneisky (Aus/Fra) ADMB
9 Franco Marvulli – Alexander Aeschbach (Swi) VDK
10 Steven De Neef – Steve Schets (Bel) Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen
11 Sebastian Donadio – Jeff Vermeulen (Arg/Bel) Geka Kaas – Oudendijk
12 Jens Mouris – Wim Stroetinga (Ned) Caruur
13 Jens-Erik Madsen – Marc Hester (Den) AVS
Sprints 1
1 Kenny De Ketele – Leif Lampater (Bel/Ger) Mercator Verzekeringen 11 pts
2 Tim Mertens – Pim Ligthart (Bel/Ned) Topsport Vlaanderen 11
3 Danny Stam – Leon Van Bon (Ned) AA Drink 10
4 Sebastian Donadio – Jeff Vermeulen (Arg/Bel) Geka Kaas – Oudendijk 7
5 Franco Marvulli – Alexander Aeschbach (Swi) VDK 6
6 Alex Rasmussen – Michael Morkov (Den) Callant Verzekeringen – Santens 5
7 Steven De Neef – Steve Schets (Bel) Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen 5
8 Robert Bartko – Danilo Hondo (Ger) Lotto 3
9 Tosh Van der Sande – Andreas Müller (Bel/Ger) Euro Tyre 3
10 Jens Mouris – Wim S