Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Berlin Six Day 2013 – Day Four

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HomeDiariesBerlin Six Day 2013 - Day Four

First up on Sunday here at the Berlin Six Day was the team picture, like one of those shots of the ‘class of 1955’ or whenever that they take at expensive schools.

The only photos the guys I went to primary school with had taken were on an individual basis with the each of them holding up a card bearing their name and number.

Berlin Six Day
The Class Of 2013.

Sunday afternoon sessions are always pretty lackadaisical, it’s as if subconsciously we all know it’s the Lord’s Day and we shouldn’t really be drinking beer and arranging who wins the Derny races.

And it was today that I became aware of another example of Teutonic efficiency; the PA is piped into the toilets, this may be a boon if the good sounds are pumping – all too rare in this town – but it’s a definite pain if it’s the race speaker on a rant about yet another sprint heat.

Berlin Six Day
Morgan Kneisky.

The chases were brisk but not savage, fast Frenchman and partner, the up and coming Vivien Brisse were well to the fore – more than can be said for the Italians, Masotti and Ciccone.

Berlin Six Day
Italian rider Ciccone

Their soigneur told me that the three of them had agreed to a ‘no stress in the cabin’ pact for the race.

It sounded like a good idea to me.

Dernys, sprinters, time trials, bad music – but I managed to interview Franco Marvulli.

He’s taken to magic tricks now, cool or a little sad, depending on your viewpoint.

I just can’t help thinking about when he and Bruno Risi used to burn the tracks down – poetry in motion and joyous to behold.

Berlin Six Day
Franco Marvulli is having a better Six Day season than of late.

I miss Bruno, and I miss that Franco of old.

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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