THESE WERE THE SIX DAY BERLIN 2024

“THE VELODROM WAS A BOILING POT, IT WAS BALM FOR THE SOUL – BERLIN CAN DO CYCLING. I HAD GOOSEBUMPS!”

— Robert Förstemann

Top-class races, an emotional farewell and top entertainment: SIX DAY BERLIN 2024 had a lot to offer. The spectators in the sold-out Velodrom experienced cycling in a class of its own.

In the main competition, three-time European champions Roger Kluge/Theo Reinhardt and reigning world champions Yoeri Havik/Jan-Willem van Schip delivered the expected duel. In an extremely exciting race, the Dutch had the slightly larger reserves in the final chase and, with 164 points, relegated last year’s winners, local heroes and three-time European champions Roger Kluge/Theo Reinhardt to second place with 157 points. Third place went to the German champions Moritz Malcharek and Moritz Augenstein, two laps behind (72 points) in the velodrome, which was sold out with 7500 spectators.

Daniel Harnisch from Leipzig and his pacemaker Gerd Gessler secured victory in the second race of the day and thus also the overall standings from three races. The duo made the decisive attack shortly before the end. “The crowd was fantastic,” said a delighted Harnisch. With four points from three races, he relegated European champion Reinier Honig from the Netherlands (5) and Robert Retschke from Chemnitz (10) to second and third place. “We saw everything that makes up the sport of stand-up. Speed, endurance and tactics,” said pacemaker legend Peter Bäuerlein in the PŸUR livestream.

The men’s sprint competition was also extremely exciting. World number one Mateusz Rudyk from Poland beat Olympic champion Roy van den Berg in the final sprint to take the overall victory. Rudyk won with 90 points ahead of local hero Robert Förstemann (78). “The Velodrom was a cauldron, it was balm for the soul – Berlin can do cycling. I had goosebumps,” said a delighted Förstemann, who narrowly missed out on his fifth overall victory. Third place went to van den Berg (74).

“GOODBYE SUPERMAN!”

Czech Tomáš Bábek ended his impressive cycling career in the velodrome with tears in his eyes. “Berlin is like my second home, I lived there, raced there and have great memories of my career in this city. The atmosphere at the Sixdays was fantastic as always – it was emotional,” said “Superman” Bábek after his last lap through the line of long-time colleagues.