Six-day racing
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Six-day racing is a track cycling specialism, which - as the name suggests - involves racing over six days.
The first six-day events were held in United Kingdom in 1878 and involved individual riders racing 24-hours a day for six days, and were marathon tests of endurance. However, the format was changed to allow teams (usually of two riders each) to compete, one rider racing while the other rested. The 24-hours a day regime has also been relaxed, so that most six-day races involve six nights of racing, typically from 6pm to 2am, on indoor tracks (velodromes).
The overall winner is the team which completes the most laps. In the event of teams completing the same number of laps, the winner would be the one who won most points in intermediate sprints (see points race) and other competitions.
As well as the 'chase' to gain laps over competitors, a typical six-day programme will also include motor-paced, intermediate sprint and elimination races. In the main 'chase' or Madison events (so-called after Madison Square Garden in New York where the two-man format was devised), both riders may be on the track at the same time, taking it in turns to race, hand-slinging each other back into action. The non-racing rider will circle the track slowly at the top of the banking until 'slung' back into the race.
As well as the spectacular hand-sling, the racing rider may also propel a team-mate into the race by pushing the seat of the rider's racing shorts.
[edit] History of Six-Day racing
The first Six-day race was held in England in 1878, but the event did not become popular until 1891 when races began to be held in Madison Square Garden. Originally, the Six-day races were contests of raw endurance, with a single rider competing as many laps as possible over a six day period. The riders would rest when needed, but spent the remainder of the time racing to complete laps.
In 1898, single rider races were banned, and the format was changed to a 2 man relay - the now-familiar Madison.
Prior to World War II, velodrome racing, and Six Day racing in particular, were popular in the United States. Due to a number of factors, chief among them the rise of the automobile and the Great Depression, track racing in general declined in popularity after the early 1900's.
Six-day racing is now predominantly a European phenomenon, particularly popular in Belgium and Germany. Spectators may also be entertained by live music, and have access to restaurants and bars. The Munich Six-Day race even featured a funfair around the outside of the track, and a night-club in the cellar that opened at 2am (when the racing finished).
