Intro :: Thursday & Friday (1/2) :: Familientag (4) :: Berlin Night (5) :: Finale (6) :: Photos

Berliner Sechstagesrennen Website :: UIV Intro & Report

Golden Night at the 99th Berliner Sechstagerennen

by Steve Penny
British 6-Day Correspondent
Watford, UK
30/31 January 2010

‘Ro Ro Express’ Roll On But ‘Danish Dynamite’ Ready to Explode!!!

The weather is freezing outdoors so what better way to spend such a night than inside a packed velodrome watching the oldest Six Day race in the world. The arena is as always is buzzing to the sound of thousands of whistles and the middle of the road German pop music from the speakers only enhances the atmosphere and confirms Berlin is alive and well as the riders set off on their Saturday night race to nowhere.

After a leg stretching point’s race at 19:50, the riders are quite surprisingly straight into the first Madison of the night, racing for 30 minutes. With it being so early no one really goes for it although Marvulli/Aeschbach and Muller/Mohs gain a lap back and this pair of teams came into the last few laps’ bonus sprints neck and neck. One of the surprise teams so far Muller/Mohs stayed close to the front and the 23 year old Mohs came over the top on the last bend to confirm his good form and take the night’s first bouquet. The more experienced of the two is Andreas Muller a Berlin born track specialist who now represents Austria. He has worked hard over the last few years to establish himself on the Six Day circuit without ever showing well in the overall standings. He was happy tonight though as he punched the air in delight taking what may well be his first ever win in a six day chase on this his local track.

Another pair showing well on their home track is Robert Bengsch and Marcel Kalz who took the evening’s main Derny race. The Devil Takes the Hindmost (or Elimination) race came down to a two up sprint between Marvulli and Rasmussen. This won’t be the last time the two fastest guys on the track will do battle for points but this time the Dane had to concede to the ever popular showman Swiss-Italian, Marvulli, who took the 20 points.

During the intervals the show bands play and punters wander around the outer arena picking up free bees from sponsors stalls, buy a beer or a punch, pasta, pretzel or hot dogs or spend time eyeing up the latest bikes, equipment or kit that local dealers have on sale. Also during the break I spotted Robert Bartko warming up on the rollers, first time I’ve seen that at a Six, and it confirms how short the actual Six Day programme here in Berlin now is. Riders used to appreciate any break at a Six, but 70 minutes does seem rather too much.

By the start of the nights big 45 minute Madison, Rasmussen/Morkov had moved up into 2nd place having gained a bonus lap. In 3rd, but just a few points short of their bonus lap and the overall lead, is Marvulli/Aeschbach who up to this point had been having a good night. As the main teams traded laps during an eye balls out chase, Marvulli made an audacious but ultimately fruitless, and costly, attempt at a crowd pleasing double lap. He probably should have stayed in the bunch because soon after they were caught Bartko/Kluge, Stam/Schep, Rasmussen/Morkov and Lampater/Grasmann made the move, with about 8 minutes to go, that took these 4 teams clear. The Danish dynamite took the win as Morkov went for a bit of showboating himself, raising his arms a good few metres before the line... and was nearly caught by the fast finishing Bartko. Althought they lost a bonus lap, it was a good chase for Stam/Schep, who are close to the lead. Their lack of points may well mean they can’t win this Six though, but they’ll try for sure.

The big losers in the chase were Muller/Mohs, who probably aid for their efforts in the first chase, and Bengsh/Kalz as both teams slipped to a lap behind. They are in the race though and will probably fight it out with another German team Lampater/Grasmann for 5th, 6th and 7th place over the next few days.

The crowd was as ever into the chase and resident Six Days DJ Pete Traynor (from my hometown of Liverpool) was enjoying himself too taking any lovers of Rock ’n’ Roll on a vintage trip down memory lane during a particular lull in the action. A group of Danes in the VIP seats seemed to especially appreciate this selection and shaked, rattled and rolled away uninhibited!!!

The only other race of any real consequence tonight was the 1,000 metre time trial won by Bartko/Kluge in 55.279 from Rasmussen/Morkov in 55.726. Aeschbach/Marvulli conceded over a second, but were still no slouches in 56.634.

Standings at End of Saturdays Racing:

Robert Bartko (Ger) - Roger Kluge (Ger)	162 points
Alex Rasmussen – Michael Morkov (Den)	141	 
Alex Aeschbach - Franco Marvulli (Switz)	113	
Danny Stam (Ned) - Peter Schep (Ned)	91 
@ 1 lap:
Leif Lampater - Christian Grasmann (Ger)	92
Robert Bengsch (Ger) - Marcel Kalz (Ger)	82 
Andreas Müller (Aut) - Erik Mohs (Ger)	57
@ 3 laps:
Andreas Beikirch (Ger) - K De Ketele (Bel)	49 points

Special Guest

In the house tonight for a fun challenge 500 metre pursuit match against a guy on a heavy old butcher/grocers delivery style bike, was Jens Voigt. This is apparently a re-match of something that was first done on German TV, the challenge being for Jens to race on his road bike in ‘training shoes’ (sneakers). A fit looking Voigt lost the original challenge and was bested in this one too, but not by much. I’m sure he won’t lose any sleep over it though. The crowd enjoyed it.

Voigt is of course a hard man of the road who started out on his amateur career right here in Berlin. He has been a regular visitor to the local Six Day in recent years, being presented to the fans as the German Cyclist of the Year. This year the award went to Tony Martin of team Columbia High Road who was here on Friday. Now 38 years old Jens cut his teeth in the pro ranks with the ZVVZ-Giant-AIS Team in 1997 before going on to win Tour De France and Giro stages as well as numerous other races with Credit Agricole and CSC / Saxo-Bank his current team. He is famed for his never say die attitude while racing, as well as his use of Australian slang when speaking English!!!

Unfortunately, due to my heavy cold, I didn’t get a chance to speak to him, as the last thing any pro wants is to report back to team duties having picked up the flu from an outside engagement.