The German/Belgian team consisting of Christian Grasmann and Kenny de Ketele were the big winners after the opening evening of the 52nd edition of the Bremen Six Days. In the big Madison of the evening they were able to stamp their authority on the race and emphasize their status as pre-race favourites. With 15 laps remaining, Grasmann and de Ketele were on the same lap as last year’s winners, Kalz/Rasmussen.

Then Grasmann and de Ketele went on the breakaway and despite some determined pursuit the peloton was unable to reel the pair back in. The outcome was unmistakable. Grasmann and de Ketele took an early lead and except from Kalz and Rasmussen all other teams had to swallow at least a two laps deficit.

Race director Erik Weispfennig summed up the events of the opening night. “Obviously, we are still in the opening phase of the race but Christian (Grasmann) and Kenny (de Ketele) demonstrated their abilities and made their status as favourites clear for all to see.”

General classification after day 1:

1. Christian Grasmann (Germany) - Kenny de Ketele (Belgium) 47

At 1 lap

2. Alex Rasmussen (Denmark) - Marcel Kalz (Germany) 58

At 2 laps

3. Sebastian Mora (Spain) - Yoeri Havik (Holland) 40

4. Nico Heßlich (Germany) - David Muntaner (Spain) 38

5. Jesper Mørkøv (Denmark) - Morgan Kneisky (France) 37

6. Wim Stroetinga (Holland) - Andreas Müller (Austria) 17

7. Hans Pirius (Germany) - Andreas Graf (Austria) 17

At 3 laps

8. Sebastian Wotschke (Germany) - Fan Freuler (Switzerland) 17

9. Achim Burkart (Germany) - Melvin van Zijl (Holland) 13

At 4 laps

10. Moreno de Pauw (Belgium) - Lucas Liß (Germany) 26

11. Martin Blaha - Jan Kraus (Czech Republic) 15

At 8 laps

12. Marcel Barth (Germany) - Alois Kankovsky (Czech Republic) 5