Stories

Theo "The Gentleman" Reinhardt: A Beacon of Track Cycling

Theo Reinhardt, affectionately known as Theo "The Gentleman" Reinhardt, is a name synonymous with excellence and sportsmanship in the world of track cycling. Born on September 17, 1990, in Berlin, he has built a career marked by fierce competition on the track and gentlemanly grace off it.

A Career of Highs and Victories

Reinhardt rose to prominence in the team pursuit and madison disciplines, excelling with his tactical awareness and teamwork. On the track, he is a fierce yet fair competitor, known for his ability to dominate races without compromising the spirit of sportsmanship. He has clinched multiple titles at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, most notably becoming a back-to-back world champion in the madison event alongside Roger Kluge in 2018 and 2019. Their unmatched partnership has set benchmarks in the sport, making them a duo that causes headaches not only for rivals but also for Sixday event organizers, as their dominance often shifts the dynamics of competition.

In addition to his world titles, Reinhardt has shone at the European Track Cycling Championships, earning several medals that underscore his consistency at the highest level. Beyond championships, he has also captured victories at numerous prestigious Sixday events, including triumphant campaigns in Berlin and London. These wins have further solidified his reputation as a master of endurance and strategy in the velodrome.

A Lasting Impact

Off the track, Theo "The Gentleman" Reinhardt lives up to his nickname. Known for his humility, kindness, and sense of fair play, he is as much admired for his character as for his achievements. As of today, he remains a dominant figure in track cycling, inspiring young athletes with his dedication and sportsmanship. Whether he’s competing in the velodrome, strategizing for six-day races, or mentoring the next generation, Reinhardt embodies the spirit of resilience and camaraderie. His continued success and leadership ensure his legacy will endure in the cycling world for years to come.

by Thomas Reckermann

The Six Day Cycling Competition: A Detailed Guide to Laps and Points

Six Day Cycling is an extraordinary blend of endurance, strategy, and teamwork, and it has been captivating cycling fans for over a century. While the competition format may seem complex at first, the core of the event revolves around laps and points, which play distinct but interconnected roles in determining the winner. In this guide, we’ll explain the main goal of Six Day Cycling and clarify the relationship between laps and points. 

The Main Goal: Riding More Laps

At its heart, the primary objective of Six-Day Cycling is simple: ride more laps than your competitors within the given time. Teams consist of two riders who take turns racing on the velodrome, allowing one teammate to rest while the other competes. This relay-style format adds a layer of strategy, as teams decide when to switch riders to maintain optimal speed and endurance.

Why are laps so important?

• Winning Priority: The team with the most laps at the end of the competition is declared the winner.

• Tiebreaker Role of Points: If two or more teams have ridden the same number of laps, the winner is determined by the points they’ve accumulated during sprints and other events.

This means that a team can win the overall competition even if they have fewer points than other teams, as long as they have at least one more lap than their closest rivals. 

Winning Scenarios: Laps vs. Points

To illustrate the interaction between laps and points, here are a few common scenarios:

1. A Team Wins by Laps:

Team A completes 400 laps, and Team B completes 399 laps. Even if Team B has more points, Team A wins because they have more laps.

2. A Team Wins by Points in a Tie:

Team C and Team D both complete 400 laps. If Team C has 120 points and Team D has 115 points, Team C wins because of their superior point total.

3. A Lower-Point Team Still Wins:

Team E completes 401 laps but has only 80 points. Team F completes 400 laps but has 150 points. Team E wins because their extra lap takes precedence.

Why This System Matters

The distinction between laps and points adds a layer of complexity and excitement to Six Day Cycling. Teams can adopt different strategies depending on their strengths:

• Lap-Focused Teams: These teams prioritize endurance and teamwork to gain laps, often sacrificing opportunities to earn points in sprints.

• Point-Focused Teams: These teams excel in speed and tactics, aiming to accumulate points in case of a lap tie.

This system ensures that no single aspect of cycling — whether endurance, speed, or strategy - dominates the competition. Instead, it creates a dynamic and unpredictable race where both physical ability and tactical decisions are key to success.

Conclusion: The Perfect Balance of Strategy and Skill

Six Day Cycling is a thrilling test of endurance, teamwork, and strategy. While the ultimate goal is to ride more laps than your competitors, the points system ensures a fair and exciting competition, providing a fallback mechanism for resolving ties. This unique interplay between laps and points means that every moment on the track counts, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very last lap.

So, the next time you watch a Six Day race, remember: it’s not just about who’s the fastest — it’s about who can outlast, outthink, and outmaneuver the competition.

by Thomas Reckermann

Sixdays Cycling: The Cycling Party You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you wonder what is Sixdays Cycling, you’re not alone — but you’re definitely missing out on one of the biggest (and most fun) events in track cycling! Now, it has become one of the most prominent track cycling events, second only to the World Championships in terms of prestige and popularity.

History in 3 sentences

It’s an event that started way back in 1878 in London, where it originally tested solo riders’ endurance over six days straight. At some point in the early 1900s, they switched to a team format, which made things way more exciting and strategic. Now, Sixdays has a long history as a mainstay in the track cycling world and is loved for its unique blend of athleticism and entertainment.

The “Controversy of the name”

Traditionally, Sixdays was a six-day marathon of cycling, but these days things have shifted a bit. Today, you’ll find different formats that span between 2 and 6 days, but the style of racing stays consistent across them all. Sixdays Cycling is now less about the number of days and more about the racing itself, which is full of variety and keeps the excitement alive from start to finish.

Here’s how it works

Endurance riders compete in teams of two, taking on a series of different races each day—Madison, time trials, elimination races, Derny races, you name it. The goal is to ride more laps than other teams. But if two or more teams have ridden the same distance, the points collected help to clarify the winner. Points stack up day by day, so each night brings new thrills as teams move up and down the leaderboard. The suspense builds across the event, with fans rooting for their favorite teams to climb to the top by the final day.

Why is it special?

But what makes Sixdays Cycling so special isn’t just the competition. The atmosphere is more like a festival than a sports event. Picture music, food, and a crowd that’s just as interested in having a good time as they are in the cycling. The stands are filled not only with cycling enthusiasts but also with people looking to enjoy the party-like vibe that Sixdays brings.

The Mission

Beyond entertainment, Sixdays plays a crucial role in bringing track cycling to the masses. It introduces newcomers to the sport in a friendly, accessible way, helping them appreciate the athletes’ skill and endurance. Moreover, Sixdays events often serve as testing grounds for new race formats and ideas, allowing organizers to experiment and refine the sport, which keeps it evolving and exciting.

by Thomas Reckermann

Yoeri Havik fährt als Erster über die Ziellinie

Yoeri Havik: The Motor that never stops

Nicknamed “The Motor” for his unmatched endurance and powerful heart, Yoeri Havik’s cycling career is a testament to persistence and resilience. Born in Zaandam, Netherlands, in 1991, he has steadily risen to the top of both road and track cycling, with his biggest achievements coming later in his career.

A Late Blooming Champion

While many Six Day riders find success early, Havik’s major victories came after years of dedication. At 30, he won his first European Championship title in the Madison with Jan-Willem van Schip in 2021. A year later, he claimed the Points Race world title, and in 2023, at 32, he and van Schip made history by winning the Madison at the World Championships, the first Dutch duo to do so.

Overcoming Adversity

Havik’s journey wasn’t without setbacks. In 2014, his grandfather, former cyclist Cees Stam, suffered a critical injury during a derny race, deeply affecting Yoeri. Yet, he returned stronger, using the tragedy as fuel for his ambition, proving his resilience on and off the bike.

Versatile and Reliable

Havik’s career spans both road and track disciplines. He’s earned road victories like the Antwerpse Havenpijl and GP Himmerland Rundt and represented the Netherlands in the Madison at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing fifth. Balancing the two disciplines is rare, but Havik excels in both with consistency and determination.

Enduring at the Top

Even in 2024, Havik remains competitive. Participating in events like the ZLM Tour and Heistse Pijl, he proves his ability to perform against younger competitors. His late-career rise highlights a steady and deliberate path to success, rather than early peaks that fade.

Legacy of "The Motor"

Havik’s story is one of perseverance. His nickname, “The Motor,” reflects his incredible stamina and unwavering drive. By achieving his greatest triumphs later in his career, he has redefined what it means to endure in a demanding sport, inspiring others with his grit and determination.

by Thomas Reckermann

Roger Kluge: The Professor of Track Cycling

In the high-speed, tactical world of track cycling, few athletes command respect like Roger Kluge. Known as "The Professor" by his peers, Kluge's nickname is a tribute to his unmatched ability to read races and execute the perfect strategy at the right moment. His dominance in six-day cycling and beyond has earned him a reputation as one of the most astute minds in the sport. But his journey to becoming a two-time world champion is a tale of perseverance, intelligence, and masterful racing.

The Call to Adventure

Born in 1986 in Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany, Roger Kluge quickly showed a natural talent for cycling. As he developed into a professional, it became clear that Kluge was not just a powerful rider but also a rider with an exceptional ability to think several moves ahead. This skill would come to define his career, particularly in the demanding world of six-day cycling, where races are as much about brains as they are about brawn.

Early in his career, Kluge’s physical prowess and tactical sharpness brought him attention, but the path to success in professional track cycling is never easy. Faced with fierce competition and the intense mental and physical demands of the sport, Kluge’s journey had only just begun.

The Road of Trials

Kluge's tactical acumen first shone on the world stage in 2008 when he captured a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics in the points race. But it was his ability to thrive in the challenging format of six-day races that solidified his reputation as “The Professor.” These endurance-based, multi-day events require riders to conserve energy, seize opportunities, and react to the ever-changing dynamics of the race—a perfect arena for Kluge's strategic mind.

In addition to his prowess in six-day events, Kluge's career reached its pinnacle when he claimed back-to-back World Championship titles in the Madison event in 2018 and 2019, partnering with fellow German rider Theo Reinhardt. These victories not only highlighted his skill but also his consistency and mental resilience. His ability to make crucial decisions in high-pressure moments played a key role in these world titles.

Moreover, Kluge has also been crowned a European Champion multiple times, further underscoring his dominance and versatility in track cycling.

The Greatest Victories

Though Kluge’s success on the track is well-documented, his achievements extend to the road as well. One of his most remarkable feats came during the 2016 Giro d'Italia, where Kluge surprised the cycling world by winning a stage. Known primarily for his track expertise, his road victory showcased his versatility and tenacity.

Yet, it is his triumphs in the velodrome, particularly his two consecutive Madison World Championship titles, that stand as the defining moments of his career. These victories reflect not only his physical capability but his unmatched mental strength and racecraft—the very qualities that earned him the nickname "The Professor."

The Return with the Elixir

Today, Roger Kluge remains a vital figure in the cycling world, continuing to compete at the highest level while also serving as a mentor to younger riders. His ability to combine tactical brilliance with raw athleticism makes him a formidable competitor even in the twilight of his career.

Kluge’s journey is a testament to the power of strategy in a sport often dominated by sheer power. He has taught the cycling world that success isn’t only about physical strength but also about timing, intelligence, and making the right move at the right time.

As "The Professor" continues to ride, his legacy grows, reminding us all that the mind is sometimes a cyclist's greatest weapon.

by olli

Robert Förstemann: The Legend of „Quadzilla

Robert Förstemann, known affectionately as "Quadzilla" due to his colossal 74 cm (29 inch) thigh circumference, has carved a remarkable path in the world of track cycling.

Förstemann's story took off with a bang in 2010 when he became a UCI Track Cycling World Champion and European champion in the team sprint event (with Stefan Nimke and Maximilan Levy). His explosive power on the bike helped him secure a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the team sprint. However, it wasn't just his speed that made headlines that year; his massive quads, captured in a viral "quad-off" photo with teammate André Greipel, earned him the legendary nickname "Quadzilla"​.

He became a fixture in the Six Day Cycling series, a prestigious multi-day track event combining intense racing and entertainment. His participation in Six Day Berlin and other events showcased his love for the sport and versatility, proving that his cycling career wasn't just about quick sprints but sustained excellence​.

In the later stages of his career, Förstemann took on a new role as a pilot for para-cycling events, where he guided visually impaired athletes to victory. His efforts culminated in a silver medal at the 2023 Para-cycling Track World Championships​ and a bronze at 2024 Paralympics in Paris with Thomas Ulbricht

This transformation from individual sprinter to team leader underscores his evolution as a cyclist and a competitor.

Beyond his competitive achievements, Förstemann became a social media sensation with feats like powering a toaster using just his leg strength, further cementing his reputation as a true powerhouse​.

Förstemann’s story is one of unrelenting force and adaptability. His legendary legs, his nickname "Quadzilla," and his journey from Olympic champion to para-athlete embody the resilience and dedication that define a true hero in the world of sports.

by olli