Lifestyle/Cycling: What his sheikh is to football, his Englishman is to cycling. As announced today at a press conference in Berlin, the traditional cycling event in the Berlin Six-Day Race has a new owner. Sole shareholder Reiner Schnorfeil has sold his shares to London-based Madison Sports Group. Schnorfeil will remain as a consultant and head of sponsorship.
Nowhere is professional racing cycling booming as much as in the UK. Every few months, an ex-professional is knighted by the Queen - so it's only logical that British investors are reaching out to the mainland as well. An event as steeped in tradition as the one in Berlin comes in at just the right time – after all, this is the oldest Sixdays in the world. From January 28 to February 2, 2016, the Berlin six-day race will take place for the 105th time.
Schnorfeil acquired the event itself from Heinz Seesing almost two years ago. There had long been speculation about a sale to investors, as there was repeated talk of financial difficulties. "For the Berlin Six-Day Race, the step into the international partnership is of great importance and secures the future of the event for the sports city of Berlin," says Schnorfeil. The contracts with the Velodrome have been extended until 2022.
Incidentally, after a 35-year break, the Madison Sports Group is hosting the six-day race again in October Six Day London (October 18-23).