final day

Sunday morning, November 25th, has to be the final day of the 72th Ghent six. Official name sounds totally different: Lotto z6sdaagse Vlaanderen Gent. While the U23 riders just started their final Madison (240 laps).

This circa 45 minutes race give us some time to look back on a carrier of one of the most famous person in the six days circus. Although he is not a rider, a lot of people know of this man. He became famous when he let his mo grow. Joop Zijlaard made his appearance in the derny world in 1970. We will see the 69 year old Rotterdam citizen for the last time in a race this afternoon. In his last motor paced race he will try to win the final later this afternoon. Who with? I’ll bet you it will be Iljo or Glenn. The list of races he won is long, 9 European titles, 30 times champion of the Netherlands and even 3 Belgian ones.

At the moment we’re half way the U23 race and still the Czech and German team leading by one lap. Five other teams are only one lap down, so everything is still possible. But I must admit that Kraus-Rugovac and Hesslich-Horstmann control the race completely. The points leaders, French couple, Boudot-Barbeau really need to take a lap to win this race. If they can manage this, it almost guarantee them the first place, they have 1OOpts, the Czechs 38 and the Germans only 16pts. Scary moments with ten laps to go, when the yellow jersey came down. Fortunately they could continue the race. The stage was finally won by Germans Wotschke-Pirius. The final winners of the U23 six days are the Czech riders:

1 Jan Kraus – Denis Rugovac (40pts) 2 Nico Hesslich – Samuel Horstmann (17pts) 3 Jonas Rickaert – Otto Vergaerde (-1 lap / 88pts)

In the pro six, four teams start the final session in the same lap, O’Shea-Keisse (383pts), De Ketele-Van Hoecke (379pts), Dillier-Bartko (266pts) and Hester-Hansen (230pts). So it will be either taking a lot of points or more important a lap. And the fight for the points started immediately, Iljo and Glenn took 20 points and that was 8 more than the Belgian World champions. The following race was a missing out with a final sprint between Keisse and Van Hoecke. And once again O’Shea- Keisse are the winners.

The fastest lap was won by “the Swiss Bullet” Tristan Marguet with his fellow countryman Franco Marvulli. And guess won the first heat behind the derny…..yes Iljo Keisse with motor pacer Joop Zijlaard.

It is now waiting for the final Madison!

DAY 5

Day 5,

Just had a talk with a relaxed Glenn O’Shea. Few hours before the start of the fifth session, he is the only pro rider on the track. Don’t have to say that he has the right mentality and is really motivated to bring this mission to a happy end. I can see him already with his mate Iljo on the podium. And if you ask me it should be the top spot.  Keisse and O’Shea are really strong this week, but they must look out for De Ketele-Van Hoecke and Dillier-Bartko. But also the Danish boys Hansen-Hester are still in the running. But they are two laps down.

An extra motivation for Glenn O’Shea is the fact that he will be living in Belgium next season, cause he just signed for the Belgian-Irish team An Post – Sean Kelly of sport director Kurt Bogaert. Let’s hope Glenn can get used to our unpredictable wonderful (lol) summer weather.  

The actual situation before the fifth night:

1 O’Shea – Keisse (308pts), 2 Van Hoecke – De Ketele (305pts), 3 Dillier-Bartko (-1 lap / 205pts)

At the moment the U23 madison has just started, and there are still seven teams in the running for the victory. Although the German team might be the strongest in this field. But it are the Czech riders Kraus-Rugovac from Dukla Praha who started the race in yellow. About five meters away from me I can see a very concentrated coach of the Germans. His name? Lutz Hesslich, the former East German who won two gold medals, sprint, at the Olympics in Moscow and Seoul.

The ranking:

1 Kraus-Rugovac (29pts), 2 Hesslich-Horstmann (16pts), 3 Boudat-Barbeau (-1 lap /87pts)

Tonight the pro riders have following races to ride, they start with a sixty laps points race, which is on now and is won by Tosh Van Der Zande-Leif Lampater. Other races tonight are a missing out, a fastest lap, two Madison races, derny races and a scratch race. In between we have a women’s omnium as well.

So lot’s of fun till 1.15am

NIGHT 3 OF THE GHENT SIX

Thursday night, 7pm. Funny when you walk into the front door of the velodrome and you have to say g’day to 3 persons. Not very unusual, but all of them are either World or Olympic champions. The first one is World champion Omnium and all the way from Swan Hill, Australia. And also silver medal winner in the team pursuit. This 23 year old Aussie is one of the top stars in this race. Only 13 points keeps him away of the first place after two nights. With his mate Iljo Keisse they will try tonight to take the lead. Strange to see him walking around in Omega –Quick Step colors instead of Jayco.

Second man Belgian World champ Madison Kenny De Ketele, always friendly and that costs him time, he stops few times for a chat, a pic or an autograph. Kenny’s new look makes me think of Danny Clark or would he be a member of the Mo-Vember club. Yes, he has a real black moustache. And let’s hope it brings him luck.

The third guy is probably the less knowing rider of the 3 trackies.  Lasse Norman Hansen from Denmark. He is the Olympic gold medal winner Omnium.  Only twenty years old, and already a possible podium chaser, with his team mate Marc Hester.

At this moment the teams are trying to beat the best time of Keisse – O’Shea on the fastest lap (8.74sec for the 166m). No one seems to go faster tonight. So the flowers are for Iljo and Glenn.

The new record was set last night by Tristan Marguet who teams with Franco Marvulli. (8.57 sec) They beat the 10 years old record of South African Jean Pierre Van Zijl.

In the meantime the midfield and the stands are getting full with spectators. Everybody gets ready for the first Madison of the night. After 16 minutes in this 45min + 10 laps Madison still 6 teams in the lead. The Swiss-German team Dillier – Bartko looks very strong tonight. It wouldn’t surprise me if these two will finish very close in this ongoing Madison. The race has been neutralized because of crash of Marc Hester and Tim Mertens. Someone mist his drink bottle and the track got wet and slippery. Fifteen minutes to go and Keisse attacks again. Dillier and Bartko alone ahead, but the world champions and Keisse – O’Shea are always close.

The final is full on now, Still the “ teams leading with 5 minutes and 10 laps to go. Also the Danish riders Hester and Hansen want to take a piece of the cake.

Ok 10 laps to go, We’re building up to a close sprint with 4 teams , Iljo Keisse is the  fastest sprinter!!His mate Glenn O’Shea brought him at the right spot for the final lap! Well done guys.

And now I am off for a well deserved beer! Cheers

Ghent sixdays 2012

I think I was about nine years old when I came to my First six in Ghent. My grandfather, who rode the track as an amateur, introduced me to what would become THE sport of my life. Those were the days of Patrick Sercu, Peter Post, a young Eddy Merckx, but also Dieter Kemper, The Phenninger brothers and many others. In that period the riders rode more than five hours. I would almost say today the boys have a luxury live. I remember that on Wednesday afternoon we, the school kids, could come to the track for a special children afternoon. That included special races, sprints, point races etc…  In those races the riders couldn’t win money or points, but sweets, caps, photographs etc, that they throw out in the in the cheering crowd. Hundreds of little boys and girls and some schoolteachers tried to grab some of the gadgets. Even for these races some of the riders became famous, I will always remember Willy Debosscher and Gerben Karstens who were always up for a joke on the track. Willy turning around and riding in the opposite direction or Gerben was knocking a box of candy out of the hands of a rider, only for the pleasure of the kids.

Another thing that disappeared is the special students championships. One early evening in the six days the local Uni students could race their National student’s championships. Don’t have to tell you that lots of supporters turned up that night and beer was flowing.

When I later came back to the sixes, early 80’s, the famous time of some of the best Australian track riders began. Guys like Danny Clark, Don Allan, Gary Wiggins, Tom Sawyer. Don’t have to tell you that after few events the Ghent crowd loved the Kangaroos.  Danny would become the biggest star in those years, together with Don, and later with Anthony Doyle. But also with local star Etienne De Wilde. The same Etienne De Wilde who would guide Matt Gilmore trough his first sixes. Unfortunately now these years we don’t see many Australians on our Ghent track. Only Glenn O’Shea and Leigh Howard been present in the last few years. Despite great results and even winning the U23 sixes we haven’t seen the Law brothers or Alex Carver back in “het Kuipke”

But tonight, the before the start of second stage of this seventy second edition, we have at least a Victorian leader. Glenn O’Shea leads the pack with local man Iljo Keisse together with 3 other formations.

Will be back soon.

OSI meets Amanda Spratt

Amanda Spratt

Amanda is 25, a member of the Penrith Cycling Club (NSW) and current Australian Road Champion.

This is not her first title tho, Spratty, as her friends call her, won also the National individual time trial title (2008) and a National title team pursuit on the track in 2007.

And not to forget the O Cenu Ceskeho Svycarska, a 5 days Czech Tour in 2011.

I am pretty sure we can add more wins to this list before the end of this season.

I had an appointment with Amanda at the Holiday Inn Express in Ghent the evening before the ‘Le Samyn’, a 1.2 UCI ranked race.

I was a bit early, as I sat down Wayne Nichols (GreenEdge mechanic and former pro in Belgium) came in. We brought back some memories with a coffee.

Few minutes later Amanda joined us at the table and Wayne went back to work.

Time to fire questions.

Like everyone else does on January the 1^st you must have picked some goals for the new roadseason. Few days later you became National Champ. Changed this the plans?

A.: Not really, cause the National title was my first goal of the season. I worked and trained hard in the previous months just to have a condition peak for the road race. Also the Ronde van Vlaanderen is a race I want to perform good.

Returning to this title race, three laps to go you jumped away, did you think ‘this is it’?

A.: O no not at all, I didn’t think I would stay away. But it just worked out well. I had some teammates in the chase group and they did a good job there too. With Tiffany behind me, keeping an eye on Rachel Neylan, I felt a bit safer.

The atmosphere around the circuit in Ballarat was also incredible.

Is Victoria THE cycling state? More then lets say NSW or SA?

A.: next question please (smiles). There is always a big crowd at Ballarat, maybe a little different then when the titles were in Adelaide.

Are you more relaxed now you had already a big win?

A.: Certanly not, another big race should be added on the list this year, for me and for the team. I keep working, no time to sit back and watch.

In a previous interview I read that you was dreaming of a European team?

A.: Yea, right, but that was untill end of last year when I could sign for GreenEdge. No need to dream longer, cause this is a great team with an European program and European team members.

But before all this I had a great time and great support from the AIS too.

Now I can learn a lot from the experience of the Euro girls.

This changed the way of racing?

A.: We work as a team, we are a happy family.

For example last saterday, in the Omloop het Nieuwsblad, I would have been trying to sit in the front of the bunch right from the start. Loes (Gunnewijk) told me not to worry the first 40km. That is experience of someone who knows the race, who did the Omloop before. She knows where will be cobblestones or the hills.

I saw you in the race doing a lot of work in the break? For Loes.

A.: Yes, together with Tiffany (Cromwell) we did what was necessary to stay away with our little group. We had three girls in the break, we had to work so we could save Loes for the end. Which worked out perfect. She attacked at the Lange Munt (Amanda pronounced it in perfect Flemish!!), on her way to the victory.

But the next race it can be someone else who will be looked after.

Is GreenEdge changing things for Australian women cycling?

A.: Sure! With this team as a model, other Australian teams and sponsors may follow. It is up to us to show women cycling is not what it used to be. We are not riding around, we race!

Up to us girls to get more publicity, TV coverage. The rest (money, DVH) will follow. But that is not fixed overnight, it will take time. With GreenEdge we certainly move many steps forward.

You started cycling at 12?

A.: In fact I rode my bike first when I was 9, as a BMX rider. I rode Nationals, Worlds etc...

Then I picked up track and road. First I wasn’t going that well, but with hard work it got me where I am now.

Strongest and weakest points?

A.: favourite races and where I am at my best, are the Classics. Break aways are my thing too. Sprints with small groups, I don’t dislike.

But I am working hard on my hill climbing. Once again not the ones in the classics I am afraid off, but mountains like the cols in the big Tours are not my cup of tea.

Last one: Where do we see Amanda back in the final of a race?

A.: Tomorrow, and the Ronde van Vlaanderen!

I am pretty sure we will see her in lots of finals, the way she talks is with love for the sport,

ready to work if necessary and take her chance to win whenever she can!

Girl to follow!

Cheers!

Dirk Van Hove

Omnisport International

Tibute to Ted Harrison

Tribute to Ted Harrison (° Bairnsdale, July 15^th, 1932 - +Melbourne, February 21^st, 2012

I had the pleasure of meeting this charming man a few times. I will remember him as a very

peaceful person. As I am always interested in the career of retired bikeriders, specially when they raced before the 70s. And Ted was certanly one of them, he started in 1946.

Not that he rang me up to tell me the whole story, not at all. He was a modest man.

My wife, Lieve, and I stayed in West Essendon with Barb and Ron Neiwand (another cycling family), when we met Ted for the first time. Of course tea was served at the Neiwands with enough sweets to sit down and talk about cycling. I must admitt that Ted said a few things, but still he was the most quiet person around the table.

You can imagine my surprise when Ted turned up, two days later, with his scrapbook on his career under his arm.

And then the stories followed. Together with his mate Ron they went full on. I had no time to write everything down.

He started at the Bairnsdale Professional Cycling Club in 1946 at the age of.....14 !! Yes, you read well, at 14 year old he was a pro cyclist.

This got all to do with the strange situation in those days of Australian cycling. You had to make up your mind when you applied for a licence, eather a pro or an amateur one.

So he joined a pro club. Only because his dad and his uncles were members. In 1951 he moved to Melbourne and joined the Footscray Club. Being pro cyclist in those days didn’t mean you didn’t have a job. Ted was a “chippie”. We would call it a carpenter in Europe.

First as a trackrider he became one of the better riders, he teamed with Sid Patterson, John Perry, Clive Middleton in madisons and sixes.

On the road Ted was a scratch rider, which means he was a great rider, one of the best.

In 1957 he started in the Midlands Tour, the race he always wanted to win. The scratch group was only 4 men big. Ted, Russell Mockridge, George Goodwin and Jim Taylor. He always

Believed that,  that was the year he could have won, cause Russell broke away in Blackwood just before they caught the bunch and went through the field to win. If he could have stayed with Mockridge a bit longer, that would have been his chanche.

Bad luck followed Ted several times troughout his career. One of those bad days was when his handlebar snapped during the Warrny 1955. He was in the final, in a group of 6 riders.

Another time, he was co leader on the last day in the 1955 Sun Tour, when he punctured, lost time and never came near John Geddes who won the Sun Tour.

And in 1958 everything went wrong when he was selected for a trip to Europe with an Australian team that was put together by Russell Mockridge. They had a contract for the Giro in 1959. Unfortunatly Russell Mockridge got killed in the 1958 Tour of Gippsland.

That year he also became a fireman.

After he stopped his pro career in 1964 he won gold and silver medals at the World Police and Fireman Games.

Many riders of the next generation knew Ted as their manager in several Sun Tour teams.

A nice man, a great bikerider, i am glad that he came to visit us in 2006 in Ghent.

He was on the road with his mate Ron and stayed a few days in Destelbergen. A beer, a bbq, and again the stories came.

(on both pics, you see Ted with his friend Ron Neiwand, in their race days and in 2006 in Destelbergen)

Here are some of his best results:

1948 : 1^st Victorian 50mile TTT championship, country section

            2^nd  Victorian 50mile TTT championship

1954 :  1^st stage 4 – Sydney to Melbourne

            4^th 50mile, Geelong

            5^th 60mile, Ringwood

1955 : 1^st 80mile Bacchus Marsh

            1^st 80mile, Hallam

            2^nd 50mile, Ringwood

            3^rd 50mile, Colac

            7^th Sun Tour (leader for 7 days!)

1957    1^st 1mile final, Melbourne Olympic Velodrome

            1^st  5mile scratch Burnie

            1^st 5mile scratch Devonport

            1^st 3mile pursuit championship

1959    10^th six days of Melbourne

1960    5^th six days of Melbourne

1961    1^st 150mile Victorian Championship

            6^th six days of Melbourne

            7^th six days of Sydney

1962    1^st 3 day Tour Footscray

            1^st 3 hour madison Melbourne

1963    1^st 27 hour madison Melbourne (with Sid Patterson and John Perry)

Ted rode from 1955 untill 1959 for Repco Cycles.  

Ted Harrison past away last tusday, he has had troubles over the last weeks with heart and circulation problems resulting in the amputation of a leg last week.
R.I.P.