Patrick Sercu, the race director of the Ghent Six-Day event, says Mark Cavendish’s appearance at the event is good for both the rider and the sport of six-day racing.

“I’m sure that this will also be good for his road season next year,” Sercu told Cycling Weekly. “A little bit more winter training, speed training on the track. I see him going very well in 2015.”

Sercu was a prolific Six-Day racer himself, winning 88 events while often partnering the great Eddy Merckx and the 70 year old thinks the high speed and intensity of the event can only serve to benefit Cavendish for 2015, despite OPQS manager Patrick Lefevere openly disagreeing.

“He wasn’t as good in 2014, which didn’t have to do with the track. In fact, I’m sure he’ll be better next year because of a better winter. OK, if you race 10 six-days in the winter, that would not be good, but one or two will help. That’s good winter training that can be joined with the team’s winter camp.”

Cavendish has ridden the event before, twice as an amateur and twice as a pro, last riding in 2007 when he placed tenth overall with Bradley Wiggins. This year, he has been paired with Omega Pharma-Quick Step teammate Iljo Keisse. The duo are also set to ride the Zurich Six-Day event too.

“We can’t be fooled into thinking he’s going to become a track rider, though,” added Sercu. “His first obligation is racing on the road, all the rest is a function of that. It’s not like if he does one or two six-day races that he will automatically become a track rider.”

Having a high profile rider like Cavndish take part in the track events is also highly boosting the popularity of the Ghent event and is brining it back into the public eye.

“There are not many road stars who can race six-days. Cavendish, Niki Terpstra… Elia Viviani can, but he is not a top road star. It is normal those guys focus on the road, where there are bigger contracts with more money. Even rising star, Jasper De Buyst will switch to the road in the next three years,” Sercu added.

“With Cavendish’s participation, we had a lot of publicity in the newspapers and on TV beforehand. That helped and everyone wanted to come. However, the six-day races are not on TV, like cyclo-cross and road races, so it’s hard to ask for much money from sponsors.”

“But his presence in 2014 will help in the years to come. He brings the public and an atmosphere to Ghent. Even if he doesn’t come back next year, it will help.”