Thursday, March 28, 2024

Zürich Four Days 2011 – Day Two

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HomeDiariesZürich Four Days 2011 - Day Two

The hotel I’m in for the Zürich Four Days 2011 is nice, a double bed, en-suite shower and beautiful breakfast spread – but it’s a logistical pain.

Kris has to ‘make massage’ with Jesper at lunchtime, but I don’t want to hang around the hotel all morning – there’s work to do at the track.

I had to scrounge a lift – always a pain.

Zürich Four Days 2011
Iljo mashes his rollers.

The programme is pretty busy, with just the break for “Showtime” and the stayers race, late in the evening.

Zürich Four Days 2011
The programme isn’t bad – heavy on the motor-pacing, but you play to your audience we suppose.

Franco and Iljo look the best here; Kenny De Ketele/Tim Mertens are always solid and should be on the podium; Hondo/Bartko won here last year and whilst Danilo is the coolest man alive he was looking a tad frayed tonight.

Zürich Four Days 2011
Jesper ‘n’ Herster, aka Morkov and Marc.
Zürich Four Days 2011
Mr. Music, Peter Traynor, the Six Day DJ popped in to say hi.

Peter Traynor looked in to say hi, he’s only DJ’ing at this race this season, which is a pity as he’s the best at what he does, the sounds here are great. Have a look at the interview we did with him last year.

Big Bob is still strong, but not as strong, or as young as he used to be; it’s 11 years since he was double Olympic champion in Sidney – pursuit and team pursuit.

Perm those three teams for the podium.

Zürich Four Days 2011
Danilo lobs Bib Bob into the fray.
Zürich Four Days 2011
Marc preps to change with Jesper.

At the other end, it’s a survival battle for our boy Dominique – he’s getting electronic treatment on his median lines as I write this – Thursday was better for him than Wednesday, if he makes it through tonight then he’ll get his full contract – good news for him (and us!).

Zürich Four Days 2011
Alex and Dominique exchange, but Dom is struggling a bit.
Zürich Four Days 2011
Poetry in motion.

I’m writing this on Friday night as the stayer race growls around us; and when it’s “on” it’s “on” – 50 miles per hour.

Zürich Four Days 2011
Very specialised machines and techniques required for this caper.

It’s slightly mad but I love it and all the little technical ‘ticks’ – modern adhesives or not, they still bandage the tubs on, down over the side walls and on to the rim.

If they puncture at 80 kph then they have to be sure the tyre and rim don’t part company.

Zürich Four Days 2011
One to go.

Franco’s in the next Derny – best get me skates on.

Ciao ciao.

Zürich Four Days 2011
The beautiful, rich and famous queue up to be seen with Franco.
Zürich Four Days 2011
We’re big fans of Jesper here, we think he’s going to be at least as good as his big brother.
Zürich Four Days 2011
Pete and his new pal.

Zürich Four Days - Results

Overall standings after Night Two

1 Danilo Hondo / Robert Bartko (Ger) Samsung 101 pts
@ 1 lap
2 Franco Marvulli (Swi) / Iljo Keisse (Bel) Skoda 122
3 Silvan Dillier (Swi) / Glenn O’Shea (Aus) Lerch & Partner 120
4 Tim Mertens / Kenny De Ketele (Bel) Haba 118
@ 2 laps
5 Leif Lampater / Christian Grasmann (Ger) EWZ 92
6 Danny Stam / Leon Van Bon (Ned) Rotronic 87
@ 3 laps
7 Marc Hester / Jesper Mørkøv (Den) Hotel Krone Unterstrass 62
@ 5 laps
8 Martin Hacecky / Vojtech Hacecky (Cze) Habegger 56
@ 6 laps
9 Bernhard Oberholzer (Swi) / Andreas Müller (Aut) Price 37
@ 7 laps
10 Robert Bengsch / Marcel Barth (Ger) Riposa 16
@ 11 laps
11 Dominick Stucki (Swi) / Benjamin Edmüller (Ger) Elektro Material 28
@ 16 laps
12 Alexander Aeschbach / Dominique Stark (Swi) Burkhalter Group 31
Zürich Four Days 2011
These guys look too relaxed to be here on official Swiss Olympic Committee business.
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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