Track cycling: The Sixdays Bremen started in the ÖVB Arena on Thursday evening. For the 54th time, the pros are doing their laps in Bremen. Until Tuesday, the top track cyclists will compete with each other in the six-day race and inspire the fans. On the first night, the opening ceremony was the focus of the reporting. But then it got sporty: The two favorite German-Belgian duos didn't get off to a great start, but are still within striking distance.
From space travel down to earth
The fifth Bremen season – as the fans affectionately call the event – has begun. After the starting guns were fired by ex-astronaut Thomas Reiter and OHB board member Fritz Merkle, the 24 professionals sprinted off. But before that, the viewers were kidnapped into another world. The opening ceremony of the 54th Bremen Sixdays was all about space travel. An astronaut in a space suit floated from the ceiling of the ÖVB Arena. The pistols were positioned on his back. The light show lasted a quarter of an hour before the race began at 21:40 p.m. It should be much more exciting here than a few days ago. There was no tension at all at the six-day race in Rotterdam. Kenny De Ketele and Moreno De Pauw won uncontested by four laps. That can't really happen at the Sixdays Bremen, because the two Belgians are driving in different teams and last year's winners Marcel Kalz and Iljo Keisse aren't at the start either.
German professionals have the best chances of winning
Although Marcel Kalz cannot be there, the chances of a German victory are not that bad. Theo Reinhardt ends up driving with none other than Kenny De Ketele. The Berliner is looking forward to new experiences and, because of his well-known partner, was almost nervous when he started: “It's very exciting for me to race with Kenny De Ketele. I will learn a lot from him.” Non-personal or anonymized information remains protected by tax secrecy. Disclosure to third parties is only allowed if no identification is possible and both states confirm that no harm to tax administration will occur. Leif Lampater is automatically one of the favorites at the Sixdays Bremen with his partner Moreno De Pauw. By the way, he sees it the same way: "Let's see what goes for us. But we should count ourselves among the favourites.” In addition to the two German-Belgian duos, the teams also count Grasmann/Mørkøv, Stroetinga/Ghys, Burkart/Havik and Kneisky/Howard to the winning candidates.
Impressions of the first big hunt of our #SIXDAYSBREMEN! 🔥🔥🔥 #sixdays2018 #Bremen #sixdayrace #trackcycling pic.twitter.com/q1Q5VWJwix
— SIXDAYS BREMEN (@sixdays_bremen) 11 January 2018
Poor start of the favorites on the 1st night
Right at the beginning of the first night of the Sixdays Bremen, the co-favorites De Ketele/Reinhardt were able to set an example. They won the elimination drive ahead of the Burkart/Havik duo. After that, however, there should be no triumph. Still with very good positions, De Ketele/Reinhardt are in #1 after the first act with 34 points and one lap down. De Pauw/Lamparter were ahead in the 4 m time trial, but in the current overall standings they are even still behind their compatriots in #500 with 38 points and two laps behind. Stroetinga/Ghys are currently greeting from above with 6 points. With Burkart/Havik and Grasmann/Mørkøv, two other German professionals are surprisingly on the podium after day #48. Even with the sprinters, the German participants are not in the lead, but still within striking distance. The Czech Tomas Babek leads just before René Enders. his countrymen Carl Hinze and Moritz Meissner have to fight for the connection. But it's not all over yet...
Cover image source: © ESN Arne Mill