VeloVeritas

Gary Wiggins – Nobody messed with ‘the Doc’ (0)

The tall, raw-boned rider ambled across to the barrier; he was broad and square across the shoulders, big-thighed and walked with a loose-limbed gait. His long legs made easy work of straddling the steel fence which separated the riders’ enclosure from the paying public at the Gent six, back in the early 80′s.

As he headed-off to his cabin, a mechanic looked-up from the already-gleaming machine he was polishing and gave a cheerful; ‘Hi Gary!’
The rider said nothing, but acknowledged the greeting with an ‘energy-saver’ nod.

My buddy, Fraser who was staying in Gent at the time, explained the dynamic to me; “that’s Sercu’s (Patrick Sercu, undisputed king of the sixes, with 88 wins) personal mechanic, he speaks to no one, he thinks he’s superior to everyone, he always talks to Gary though – ‘nobody messes with The Doc!”

Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 6 (0)

It must be the end of term; “Mr. Happy”, stoney-faced derny pilot and former king of the big motor drivers, Bruno Walrave was actually laughing at breakfast – hey! It’s pay day today too – always good for morale.

Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 5 (0)

I’ve arrived; Matt Gilmore said “hello” to me today – wow!

It’s the Chocolate Jacques team presentation during the six tonight and Matt is here as part of that gig. “Rambo” is here too – Niko Eeckhout, last June in Antwerp at the Belgian elite champs he was in the break with Boonen; the Tomeke fans had their man as a cert to win.

We weren’t quite so sure and so it proved, as Eekhout left Boonen lengths back to take the red, black and yellow jersey. He does look like he’s OD-ed on the sun lamp since then though.

Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 4 (0)

Kris was just telling us that oxygen cylinders are banned from track centres under UCI regulations. Marc piped-up; “that’s a pity, I could have done with a cylinder strapped to my back on the first night!”

He’s one of the boys now, amazing how much difference a couple of days can make to relationships. It’s wet outside and very warm in here, there was a big junior and ladies programme in the morning, complete with the usual crashes. Belgian junior track racing is not for those of a nervous disposition.

Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 3 (0)

It’s 18.00, the juniors are up and keeping the red cross busy.

At a time when any sensible person is contemplating a movie then a nice pasta and bottle of red at their favourite Italian restaurant in the company of their sweetheart, we’re just about to start work.

Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 2 (0)

“Aint go bump no mo’ with no big fat woman!” Seventies disco and six-day racing – Hot Chocolate, Van McCoy, Cool and the Gang and Joe Tex; the biz! It’s 19.35 and the theme from Chariots of Fire is blasting-out, we’re off!

Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 1 (0)

Kris picked me up at Dusseldorf Weeze airport at tea time yesterday (Wednesday), it’s actually only about two kilometres from Holland so it wasn’t long before we found a frites stand.

Hasselt is in the Limburg region of Belgium, Flemish speaking and with a population of about 70,000. The local tourist office brochure tries hard to talk the town up but there’s not much to say – a nice-enough place though.

The Copenhagen Six Day 2005 (0)

Danny Kaye is telling me over the public address that it’s “Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen”. I’m not so sure: it’s gone 1.00 am and we have 18 Lycra jerseys; 18 under-vests; six pairs of chamois-lined cycling shorts; six pairs of socks and six pairs of track mitts to hand wash, spin dry and hang up to dry in our ‘cabin’ in the bowels of the stadium. Welcome to the glamorous world of six-day bicycle racing.

Grenoble Six Day 2006 – Sixth Night (0)

The last day at Grenoble isn’t too hard for the riders, there’s a points race, a time trial and then the big chase – 180 laps of the 210 meter track. I did hear guys complain though that the lack of warm-up races made for sore legs early in the Madison.

I was up at 9.30 and straight into my jersey-folding routine.

Panic; one pair of Alex Rasmussen’s mitts have gone missing; in a world torn by wars this may not seem like too big a deal, but in the cloistered world of the six-days it’s probably a day’s worth of gossip: “You hear about de big fat, bald Scottie runner with Kris? He loses Razl’s best mitts, eh?”

I searched everywhere, but to cut a long story short, Alex had taken them back to the hotel with him. I was too relieved to be mad.

Grenoble Six Day 2006 – Fifth Night (0)

It’s 9.30 and I’m just up, Kris sleeps in the camper van. He says it’s more comfortable, but I think it’s because I snore so badly.

It was interesting at breakfast today; the guys were talking about what they did before they were full-time pro cyclists.

Michael Morkov was a carpenter; he served a four year apprenticeship whilst Marvulli was an electrician. He reckons he pedals fast because he never wants to be installing mobile phone antenae on roofs in the depths of winter again.

Grenoble Six Day 2006 – Fourth Night (0)

It was musical jerseys last night, Franco & Alex Aeschbach took over in the lead, Michael & Alex Rasmussen swopped the leader’s jerseys for the points leaders maillot vert but Jozi & Martin lost the combine jersey to DeFauw & Van Mechelen of Belgium.

Rumour control has it that Monsieur DeFauw ran two red lights in his car last night after the race and was “pulled” by the police.

Grenoble Six Day 2006 – Third Night (0)

Sometimes, you wonder why you are doing this – OK, it’s great being around guys like Marvulli and having an insight into the inner-sanctum, but it’s hard work, often boring and stressed guys aren’t fun to be around.

That’s not to mention French radio; the first song I heard today was, “Super Nana” a plaintive lament to the singer’s granny.

But this morning, when you walk up the ramp out of the stadium into the October sun, feel it warm on your skin, look up at the mountains and wander over to the bakers to pick-up the warm baguettes, “bonjour monsieur, ca va?” -it’s cool – a gig.

Paolo Bettini – World Road Champion (0)

Some times it’s difficult to get an interview, especially if your target is World Road Race Champion, Paolo Bettini. He has a Quick Step entourage with him and he’s testing his new Specialized road bike for 2007. But us VeloVeritas guys are persistent, and after stalking him all afternoon I was granted just five minutes of his precious time.

Grenoble Six Day 2006 – Second Night (0)

17.45: Where did the day go?

They are playing Puccini over the stadium PA, the folies girls are rehearsing their routine, you would have to be here to appreciate it, but it’s awesome.

The juniors are whizzing past, best keep away from the bottom of the track, last year they were sliding about the boards on their bums like there’s no tomorrow.

Grenoble Six Day 2006 – First Night (0)

11.20: Picked-up the Danish guys, Alex Rasmussen and Michael Mørkøv at Lyon airport. It’s a hassle because it’s hard to park the camper and security is tight. Alex looks slimmer than last season whilst Michael is still skeletal.

We have to drive all the way back to Grenoble now. At least the sun is out and the scenery is good.