Two-time world champions Roger Kluge and Theo Reinhardt from Berlin won the 110th Berlin six-day race, which was shortened to three days, on Sunday evening. With an attack 15 laps before the end, the reigning European champions with 130 points ousted the Dutchmen Yoeri Havik/Vincent Hoppezak (124) from the top. The second German pairing with Tim Torn Teutenberg/Moritz Malcharek (Cologne/Berlin) took third place with a deficit of 84 points. For Kluge/Reinhardt it was the second joint success after 2019.
“We didn’t want to wait until the end and let it come down to the final sprint. In the end it was tough, but it was enough. Now we’re looking forward to the European Championships in two weeks,” said Roger Kluge, for whom it’s after 2011, 2013 and 2019 was the fourth victory in the velodrome. In the women’s category, Marit Raaijmakers/Mylene de Zoete celebrated a lights-to-flag victory. The titles in the sprint tournaments went to seven-time world champion Lea Sophie Friedrich from Cottbus and Chemnitz-based Stefan Bötticher.
Valts Miltovics, Managing Director of the Berliner Six Day Races GmbH, was relieved that the Six Day had restarted. “I’m very satisfied. Saturday in particular was very well attended with 5,500 spectators. On family Sunday, this time the finale of the Six Day, I would have wished for a few more spectators,” he explained. Visitor numbers from pre-Corona times could not be reached this time because the organizers rigorously refrained from free tickets, as in the past.
How things will continue in the coming year is currently open. “This year’s event was a big risk. We’re not in the red and can continue to work. I can’t say how quickly we’ll return to a six-day event at the moment, but we’re looking for solutions. The potential in Berlin is there,” said Valts Miltovics. Most recently, the six-day race was held over six days in 2020 and was shortened to three days when it restarted for economic reasons.
Race website