Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Berlin Six Days 2016 – Photo WrapUp

-

HomeDiariesBerlin Six Days 2016 - Photo WrapUp

This year saw edition 105 of the Berlin Six Days, VeloVeritas had the good fortune to be there helping soigneur Kris look after Messrs. Germain Burton (GB), Daniel Holloway (USA), Mathias Krigbaum (Denmark) and Mark Stewart (Scotland).

Here’s a selection of images from under the largest unsupported steel roof in Europe on the site of what used to be the Berlin STASI Headquarters.

Berlin Six Day
Matt takes a sling from Marc Hester. Photo©Ed Hood

Kris has always worked with the Danish riders and the tradition continues with Mathias Krigbaum, a former World Junior Madison Champion.

Mathias was partnered with experienced countryman Marc Hester who’s ridden 87 Six Days; this is Krigbaum’s fourth ‘race to nowhere’ and despite Hester’s criticisms, the youngster didn’t embarrass himself.

Krigbaum is a strong road rider too; last year he was with Lotto U23 for whom he took out an ‘Interclub’ race in Belgium – not an easy thing to do, they’re looked on as a stepping stone to a pro contract.

This season he stays in Belgium but the name on the jersey will be VeranClassic-AGO.

Berlin Six Day
Young Nico Hesslich throws Christian into the race. Photo©Ed Hood

Christian Grasmann will be a little disappointed that he didn’t have a stronger partner than Nico Hesslich.

Hesslich’s father, Lutz is a sprint legend, Olympic and World champion but Hesslich junior has a ways to go before he even gets to the Worlds.

Albeit he rode well enough – but was flagging in the last chases.

Grasmann is a self confessed ‘hobby cyclist,’ his own Maloja team isn’t registered as UCI Continental but rides the Revolution Series and Grasmann is quite happy with his team’s programme.

Despite the fact that he doesn’t get a strong road core Grasmann is a Six Day regular, reliable and safe.

His form has been good this year and he won in Bremen with De Ketele.

Berlin Six Day
Germain Burton. Photo©Ed Hood

Germain handles the inevitable, ‘I knew your father‘ gambit with aplomb and apart from being rapid, is great to have in the cabin with his dry wit and good humour – although his liking for Rapper ‘Stormsy’ reminds me that I ain’t ‘down with the kids no more.’

He stumbled in just one madison: but rode a strong first Six Day (London was only five days).

On this showing, VeloVeritas thinks that he and Mark could well become the first all GB team in our memory to win a Six Day.

Berlin Six Day
Mark Stewart – Scotland’s only current Six Day rider – but where’s the trademark yellow socks and Mavic shoes? Photo©Ed Hood

Mark is the first Scottish Six Day rider that I can think of, albeit Tony Doyle tells me he rode Bordeaux with Graeme Obree back in the 90’s – I’ll need to check that one.

Mark is a racer, a hard man to hold back but a manager’s dream – it’s always easier to pull on the reins than dig the spurs in.

He’s no respecter of reputations and if his rate of progress continues he’s headed for the very top on the track; world champion no less, says Kris.

Berlin Six Day
Roger Kluge. Photo©Ed Hood

Roger Kluge – you have to respect Big Rodge, he hauls that solid frame of his over the highest cols in Europe in the Grand Tours, works hard for his IAM team in the season and is one of a very few World Tour guys you’ll see in a Six Day.

He was strong here with Big Kalz and we think they were meant to win but “a certain keen pair of British youngsters” initiated a chase in the dying minutes to deny the Home Boys top spot on the podium.

De Ketele and De Pauw were delighted; they took the win – the big Berliners less so…

Berlin Six Day
Spokes Cycles main man, Craig Grieve. Photo©Ed Hood

Chauffeur for Germain and Mark; all the way from Leslie in Fife, Scotland to Berlin via Manchester – and back; Spokes Cycles owner Craig Grieve who was dropped into the strangeness that is the world of the Six Days.

He even had his first taste of pushing off in the Derny – anything that enables me to duck that gig is just fine by me – and seems to have come through his first Six without too many scars.

Berlin Six Day
The big bikes in action. Photo©Ed Hood

If the Six Days are a strange little world then the ‘Stayer World’ is even more eclectic and closed.

A mad secret society for fearless men addicted to speed.

Generally skinny little guys (to take best advantage of the slipstreams) mounted on bizarre contraptions drafting behind big mature, dour guys in leather suits ‘standing’ on growling old BMW flat twin motorbikes.

The last Worlds motor paced champs was held in 1993, the UCI binned it because it was so corrupt with Machiavellian deals and pay-offs the norm.

There’s still an element of that with the drivers very much deciding how it will be.

Britain had representation in Matt Gittings who’s twice been British Derny Champion but spends most of time in the USA.

The USA was represented too; ex-cycle courier Zak Kovalcik was here for the fourth time and finally got a win – you don’t break into ‘Stayer World’ over night.

Berlin Six Day
The sprinters line up. Photo©Ed Hood
Berlin Six Day
Nate Koch. Photo©Ed Hood

The Berlin Six Day isn’t just about chases, devils and Dernys; the German fans love the big motors – and sprinting too.

With The Worlds not being far away the German ‘A List’ sprinters weren’t on hand but local hero (he is just so much in demand for pictures, interviews and autographs) Robert Forstemann took the overall tournament win based on match sprinting, flying laps and keirin.

The USA’s Nate Koch isn’t the world’s fastest sprinter – giving away a second and more to Forstemann in the flying lap – but the crowd likes him and keeping the crowd happy is what it’s all about.

Berlin Six Day
Kenny De Ketele. Photo©Ed Hood
Berlin Six Day
Kenny De Ketele is one of the senior riders at the Sixes these days. Photo©Ed Hood

Kenny De Ketele, he’s come a long way from the days he and Tim Maertens were a Belgian ‘make up the numbers’ team in the Sixes.

Tim has retired, he never fully recovered from a serious crash, but Kenny has gone from strength to strength.

World Madison Champion in 2012 with Gijs Van Hoecke, Berlin was his 10th Six Day win off 61 starts.

He’s now as near to a ‘Capo’ of the Sixes as you can get in these days of fewer races and riders dropping in and out of races rather than having a core group of specialists.

Berlin Six Day
The “wee bikes” are a real crowd-pleaser. Photo©Ed Hood

The spectators love them, I wouldn’t say I hate them but they’re so damn predictable – and noisy.

In the ‘A’ races it was only ever going to be Kalz, Kluge or Kenny.

And up in Copenhagen it’ll Kenny, Jesper Mørkøv and Marc Hester getting the flowers, no doubt.

Berlin Six Day
Marcel Barth ‘bears’ all. Photo©Ed Hood

Marcel Barth was five times German Junior Champion and World Junior Points Champion in 2004; in the dozen years since then there’s not been a lot to write home about except for two German ‘stayer’ titles in 2012 and ’13.

His forte now is La Ola, the half-dozen ‘lark about’ laps before the big chase of the night.

Maybe if he spent less time on the sunbeds he’d get his legs back?

Berlin Six Day
Didi Senft maybe doesn’t attend as many grand tours these days but hes ‘s still playing the Devil. Photo©Ed Hood

There’s no escape from Didi – but you should know that he has a special ‘velodrome’ trident for the Six Days.

It’s that attention to detail that makes him special…

Berlin Six Day
The big group photo with (nearly) everyone there. Photo©Ed Hood

One of the traditions of Berlin is the big group picture on a Sunday morning – riders, motorbike riders, officials.

Good fun but no room for soigneurs or runners – we know our place…

Berlin Six Day
The fun fair in the track centre. Photo©Ed Hood

Sunday is also ‘family day’ with rides for the kiddies – and it does draw families in.

But the whole race is well supported with crowds that any promoter would die for.

Berlin Six Day
Stefan Nimke on the front of his tandem. Photo©Ed Hood

Stefan Nimke used to be a pillar of the Berlin Six Day and one of the best team sprinters and kilometre riders in the world; if a somewhat superior individual – but big sprinters, especially German ones can be like that.

At 37 he’s now on the German Paralympic programme – our own Craig Maclean may well be tangling with him in Rio.

Berlin Six Day
Robert Forstemann. Photo©Ed Hood

No longer one of the stalwarts of the German National squad, ex-judo star, Robert Forstemann still has those huge thighs – and local support; he’s asked for more autographs, pictures and interviews than any of the Six Day guys.

‘Past it’ for the Worlds or not he can still rattle 12.5 for a flying 250 – which isn’t exactly slow.

Berlin Six Day
A dancing polar bear. Photo©Ed Hood

Bears – as in ‘Bear’-lin; they’re the city’s symbol and pop up everywhere. This polar model had to do a dance routine every night – and the Six Day guys think they have it tough?

Berlin Six Day
The final podium. Photo©Ed Hood

De Ketele and De Pauw look happy, so do Havik and Stopler – the big Home Boys? The faces say it all.

A good six days of entertainment; if God spares me I hope I’ll be here for 2017.

Copenhagen next up…

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.

Related Articles

Le Tour de France 2013 – Stage 12: Fougères > Tours, 218km. Kittel’s Third Win!

We left Fougères this morning and Martin summed it up best; ‘normally you’d have expected Cav to be all but unbeatable in those circumstances.’ I felt the same, especially with Tony Martin winning the chrono, QuickStep morale being sky high and Cav being desperate to make amends after his brush with Veelers the other day.

Giro d’Italia 2016 – Stage 16; Not a good day for Esteban Chaves

It wasn't a good day for Chaves on Tuesday's Stage 16, he lost time to Kruijswijk and Valverde. With three minutes in hand over the Colombian, the Dutchman is going to take a bit of shifting; and there's a danger that Valverde might leapfrog Chaves, too - he's now just 23 seconds in arrears. Nibali lost time, too.

Giro d’Italia 2015 – Stage 19, Gravellona Toce – Cervinia; Aru Takes His Gift

It was nice to wake up in the shadow of the Matterhorn this morning; imposing, snow capped and stunning against a picture post card blue sky. Yesterday? There's a clue in what Contador, Aru and Landa call themselves; "professional" cyclists. It's a job, a commercial enterprise, a way to make money for riders, sponsors and organisers. The way we read yesterday is that Alberto is due a big favour from Astana whilst Landa is due one from management and Aru.

Berlin Six Day 2012 – Day Five and Berlin Six Day Bikes

It’s gone 1:00AM here and I thought we could have a look at the Berlin Six Day Bikes; the Dernys buzz their 'Ipcress' noise, Brad eases down off the fence, he takes the sling off Jackie, tucks in behind the little monster and Mr. Simes is done for the night.

At Random

Patrick Galbraith – Kerry Youth Tour Winner

It was a good week for Scottish cycling, in the same week that David Millar (Saunier Duval) won the British elite road race title; at the other end of the spectrum, 14 year-old Patrick Galbraith took two stage wins and the overall win in Eire's Kerry Youth Tour. The Kerry Youth Tour is one of the largest events of its kind in the world; comprising four stages over three days - two road races, a circuit race and a time trial.

Giro d’Italia – Day 10: Stage 21, Cesano Maderno – Milano (Individual Time Trial)

Today's Gazzetta in Cesano Maderno has Emanuele Sella's little face smiling out at us with a headline that makes a play on his name: "S(T)ELLA" = star. Life is so much easier when Germans don't win stages! Inside, a headline says; "Bruseghin da podio. Di Luca si arrende." I ask our hotelier what 'arrende' means; he slumps his shoulders, drops his arms to his side, puts his head to one side and let's his tongue hang out - yes, we can understand the translation.

La Vuelta a España 2012 – Stage 15: La Robla – Lagos de Covadonga 186.5 km

We’ve all had them, those days when the pedals just turn and the sensations are good – Antonio Piedra (Caja Rural & Spain) had one, today in the stage from La Robla.

Giro d’Italia 2008 – Day 5: Rest Day

Rest Day at the Giro d'Italia 2008... "When you hear the tootin' of the whistle, you never have to guess; it's Casey at the throttle of the Cannonball Express" - Dave and I were just debating the lyrics of the Casey Jones 60's TV programme, if anyone can give us the full lyrics, we'd be much obliged. Sorry, on long transfer drives like this, you get to talking about all sorts of things.