Bahn-News: The Berlin Six-Day Race and its 'boss' Reiner Schnorpfeil can look back on a busy year since the last event. After the traditional race last spring on pranced along the edge of the economic abyss, followed the Purchased by the English Madison Group, which secured the event in the years to come. Tonight the starting shot will be fired for the 105th time - even if the tried-and-tested concept remains, a fresh breeze can be felt.
Tonight at 19:00 p.m. in the Berlin Velodrom, the starting signal for the Berlin Six-Day Race will be given for the 105th time. Just a few months ago, there was a more or less big question mark behind the event, after director Reiner Schnorpfeil had previously sounded the alarm publicly. The financially shaky foundation of the traditional event threatened to collapse and after the Berlin Senate spoke out against city subsidies, the end threatened. Salvation came in the form of Britain's Madison Sports Group, which bought Schnorpfeil's shares but left him in charge.
The English also breathed life into the six-day race in London again after a break of more than 30 years. Anyone who has watched the spectacle in the English capital will not only have seen the numerous top drivers there, but also some conceptual changes to the traditional six-day race scheme. The stage was in the middle of the hall, the somewhat simplified rules were explained to newcomers via clear diagrams and much more.
If you are worried about 'his' Berlin six-day race: don't worry, little will change here for the time being. As the new owners recently explained in an interview with the Berliner Tagesspiegel, they don't want to turn the traditional race in the capital 'on the left' – rather the original character should be preserved and gradually refreshed, simplified and rejuvenated over the coming years . Not much has changed this year, however. The concept remains the same, there will only be a few small innovations. For the first time, viewers can follow the speed and heart rate of the drivers live on the screen. There will also be a newly designed stage.
Prominent starting field - a German permanent guest is missing
The starting field is once again prominently occupied - even if the really big world stars like Cavendish or Wiggins are (still) missing. Robert Förstemann, Roger Kluge, Jesper Morkov, Alex Rasmussen, Marcel Kalz and the newly crowned Bremen Sixdays winner Christian Grasmann are just a few of the names in the squad. Also the American sunny boy Nate Koch, who attracted the crowds last year with a great show, is back.
However, one or the other will now miss the name Maximilian Levy. For the first time in ten years, the 28-year-old decided not to take part. He would like to focus on the World Cup in London in early March and recommend himself for a place in the German squad for the Olympics in Rio. Unfortunately, the matter close to the heart of the Berlin six-day race does not fit into the training plan. In addition, the native of Berlin became a father for the second time three weeks ago.
Berlin Six-Day Race – Web
www.sechstagelaufen-berlin.de