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96th Edition of the Berliner Sechstagerennen

by Steve Penny
British 6-Day Correspondent for TBCC's 6-Day Site
Berlin

Berliner Tag

Monday in the Landsberger Allee Velodrome is called Berliner Tag (Berlin Day) and the overall standing suggest it could be Berlin week with local hero's Robert Bartko and Guido Fulst, with Beikirch and Lampater respectively, locked together on equal points and laps at the top of the standings. The overall win is however by no means a home banker and Bruno Risi / Marvulli and Stam / Schep proved in tonight's two chases that they will be in there at the finish.

The nights early 30 minute chase saw Fulst / Lampater and Stam / Schep lose contact with the other major players and with just 4 laps to go Bartko / Beikirch, Risi / Marvulli and Keisse / Pollack pulled a lap clear. In a shoulder to shoulder sprint around the final bend and into the home straight Bruno Risi confirmed his 2006 / 2007 charge by holding off the Germans Beikirch and Pollack and punching the air in delight. The season has been nothing short of remarkable for Risi who without the retired Kurt Betschart has clocked up 6 wins already pulling him clear of Canada's own William 'Torchy' Peden, Etteine De Wilde and Rik Van Steenbergen for 5th place on the all time Six Day winners list.

The longer 45 minute Madison was unfortunately missed by your correspondent but in a reversal of the placing in the earlier chase Stam / Schep took it from Rasmussen / Morkov and Fulst / Lampater. The Dutch and German pairing however succeeded in taking back the lap they lost in the earlier chase putting them back level on laps with Bartko / Beikirch and Risi / Marvulli. Keisse / Pollack are just one lap behind but this looks like a 4 way battle at the top although it also looks like a tough ask for Stam / Schep who being 100 points behind will need to gain a clear laps advantage if they are to win the Finale tomorrow.

Elsewhere on this Monday night the 'Derny Final' was won by Bartko / Beikirch. Bartko came very late and lost a metre to his pacer in the home straight but he was close enough to the finish line to hold off Risi for the bouquet. It was also another good night for Rasmussen / Morkov as they went 2 laps clear in 6th place. Andy Muller capped a return to health with a morale boosting points win along side Alex Aeschbach but it was another poor night for Danes Piil and Hester who did not show at all. However as noted in the preview Piil is perhaps only here to find his track legs and conserve energy for his home race in Copenhagen. Bartko / Beikirch also took the 1,000 metre TT and a Scratch race and must surely start the Finale as the favourites but it will be interesting to see how it pans out because they will be watching closest rivals Fulst / Lampater and the experienced Risi or Stam could yet spring a surprise.

Standings after Day 5:

1. Bartko / Beikirch 222 points
2. Fulst / Lampater 222 points
3. Risi / Marvulli 212 points
4. Stam / Schep 126 points

+ 1 lap
5. Keisse / Pollack 210 points

+ 3 laps
6. Rasmussen / Morkov 200 points

+ 5 laps
7. Villa / Grasmann 40 points

+ 14 laps
8. Muller / Aeschbach 80 points
9. Piil / Hester 80 points

+ 16 laps
10. De Ketele / Schets 86 points

Stayers

Another hard fought Stayer race saw Carsten Podlesch's disappointment once again. He and Atzeni looked to be battling it out for the victory but Swiss rider Peter Jorg had other ideas and with 10 laps to go he made a late charge. From 20 metres back Jorg kept coming and coming and in the last lap he took an almost blanket finish from Atzeni and a disappointed Podlesch. The Berliner Podlesch still holds the overall lead but anything other than a win in the final race tomorrow will see the consistent Atzeni take the overall Stayers prize.

Sprinters

The 'International Sprinters Cup' saw a TT win for Kilo man Stefan Nimke in 13.07 with Matthias John taking the Keirin. The Italian showman Roberto Chiappa pleased the crowd, and himself, by taking the 3 up sprint final from Levy and Nimke. The overall consistency and quality of Nimke sees him top the overall standings and in prime position to take the 2007 Sprinters Cup.

30 January 2007