Thursday, March 28, 2024

Grenoble Six Day 2009 – Day Five, Bar Clemenceau

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HomeDiariesGrenoble Six Day 2009 - Day Five, Bar Clemenceau
Bar Clemenceau
Bar Clemenceau business was quiet today!

Bar Clemenceau was open again today, for our afternoon ‘snifter’ here at the Grenoble Six Day.

The bar tender must have had a heavy Sunday session, he was asleep at one of his own tables. I went for a Ricard today; it reminded me of the time John and I were in the Bar Britanique on Alpe d’Huez.

We drank so much pastis that we only just made it outside in time to catch Pantani on his way to the stage win – those were the days!

The other excitement today, was the news that Iljo Keisse ‘beat the wrap,’ avoided the gallows and can race on to finish Grenoble then get into top shape for his home Six at Gent.

I interviewed him, not long after the verdict came through – we knew he’d got a result because we could hear the cheers coming through from the Belgian cabin, next door.

As soon as the result hit the internet, folks were getting in touch.

Bar Clemenceau
Iljo looks pretty happy and relaxed.

Viktor called, he reckons it’s a triumph for common sense, catching everyone for minor infringements is all very well.

But soon, there’ll be no teams or races left for the ‘clean’ guys to compete in – all the sponsors will have been scared off by the scandals.

Long time Six Day fan, and a man who’s entitled to an opinion because he travels all over Europe to watch the Sixes, Stuart Anthony, reckons there was never any doubt that Iljo was a victim of circumstance and is just happy that Gent won’t be the disaster it would have been without its home star.

Our pal Dave Chapman thinks he wriggled off the hook on a technicality.

VeloVeritas Editor, Martin, is thinking along similar lines and picked up a few subtleties in the wording of the hearing’s verdict – but I’ll let him tell you what he thinks, himself.

Me?

I have mixed feelings; on the one hand, the doping thing has to stop, you only have to look at Germany to see how detrimental it is to the sport.

But there’s merit in what Viktor says – is it better to nail Iljo on what has to rank as a very minor infringement and have the Gent arena a ghost town?

Or – and bearing in mind that the man has been cleared – accept that something may have been going down; but it’s very unlikely that it will happen again and Gent will be a sell out at a time when Six Day sport is really struggling.

My vote is with the latter.

When we say VeloVeritas takes you behind the scenes, we’re not joking.

I remember, a few years ago, at the Berlin six day, Iljo’s mechanic, Ken Illegems fitted the wrong gear to the young Belgian’s Merckx for a derny race.

Iljo give him a very angry, public and unprofessional rebuke.

The man I interviewed yesterday wasn’t the same one I saw in action in Berlin.

Bar Clemenceau
Guy gets a rub and catches up on his journal.

On the subject of interviews, I caught up with the young US guys too, yesterday. They were racing with James McCallum and Evan Oliphant in Columbia, recently.

None of the Europeans won much money, though – that went to the home boys. According to Guy East, the Colombians were taking full advantage of one of the country’s major exports – ’nuff said!

Bar Clemenceau
Franco makes his roquefort lunch…
Bar Clemenceau
…hangs with Tristan and Aeschi…
Bar Clemenceau
…and warms up for the first race.

But back to the fun and frivolity of Grenoble; the French mechanic let me have a good look at Bauge’s Look (no pun intended,) today.

Bar Clemenceau
Bauge’s bike.

It’s a tool, no question – but whilst the sprinter’s bikes might look cool in the mags and on TV; in the flesh, they’re well battle-scarred, like some old pit bull who’s had a fight or two too many.

Bar Clemenceau
Greg’s bike shows the signs of a well-used, highly-travelled tool.
Bar Clemenceau
What do you reckon – watching le Folies or the racing?

Tristan showed up with new Oakley Jaw Bones, today – I’m not daft on that style, but the red and white is cool with the red and white Swiss colours.

Bar Clemenceau
Tristan’s new shades.

Tristan and Aeschi took over the points jerseys last night. It’s always good to have a jersey in the cabin, and flowers on the cabin roof.

Bar Clemenceau
Morgan in rainbow for the scratch race.

I must have missed Frenchman Morgan Kneisky winning the scratch race at the Worlds, in Poland – he wears his rainbow skinsuit in the scratch races here, I like that.

Bar Clemenceau
Arnaud has ditched the skinsuit for the tin flute.

Arnaud Tournant popped in tonight, besuited and with the ‘upmarket night club bouncer’ look; last time I was here, he was burning the track down.

Bar Clemenceau
Our girl.

High spot of the whole night however, was the silver dress worn by the singer – I even forgave her for murdering a Gloria Gaynor song.

A demain!

Ed Hood
Ed Hood
Ed's been involved in cycling for over 50 years. In that time he's been a successful time triallist, a team manager and a sponsor of several teams and clubs. He's also a respected and successful coach and during the winter months was often working in the cabins at the Six Days for some of the world's top riders. Ed remains a massive fan of the sport and couples his extensive contacts with an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the minutiae and the history of our sport. In February 2023 however, our dear friend and beloved colleague Ed suffered a devastating stroke and faces an uncertain future; Ed has lost his ability to speak, to read, and has lost movement on the right side of his body. He's working with speech and physical therapists on rehabilitation, but all strokes are different and each patient responds differently, so unfortunately recovery is one day at a time. Ed ran his own business installing windows, and will probably not be able to work again. Please consider joining us to make a contribution to Ed's GoFundMe page to help stabilise and secure his future.

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