While the 6-day season is in full swing in Central Europe, Christian Grasmann and Nico Heßlich from the Rudy Project Racing Team continue to accelerate in Great Britain. The duo is still in the lead after the third of five rounds of the Revolution Series.
In Manchester both were able to enjoy the spectators. In front of a full house, they were able to live up to their role as favorites and further extend their lead in the overall standings. The start was made by the flying round over 250 meters, which the two-time Olympic champion Ed Clancy (JLT) secured with 13.208 seconds just ahead of Heßlich, who needed 13.408 seconds.
This was followed by a points race over 40 kilometers, which also involved UCI points. The drivers only needed 46 minutes to cover the distance. Briton Peter Kennaugh (Sky) was the fastest, and managed to lap the entire field seven times. He won ahead of Ed Clancy and Hesslich. Grasmann was able to secure fifth place here. "With these super placements we have laid the foundation for the day's win in Manchester", said Hesslich after the race.
But even after that, the Irschenbergers showed a good eye and currently even better form. They finished third in the team trials, only to finish second in the prestigious 1000-meter Madison time trial shortly thereafter. Clancy and his partner Ollie Wood (JLT) secured victory here, setting a new world record with a time of 54.537 seconds. In the final scratch race, too, Grasmann and Heßlich achieved second place.
In the overall standings, the duo are now in first place with 132 points, followed by Ed Clancy and Ollie Wood, who have 109 points.