While Six-Days in Amsterdam, Zurich and Grenoble have disappeared from the calendar, the current race in Ghent is in a healthy place. Organizer Rob Discart explains the popularity but asks the UCI for more support. German rider Christian Grassmann has harsh words for the global federation. "At the moment it is all about the road, there is nothing for the track."

Discart knows why Ghent blossoms: "You can compare the popularity a bit to cyclo-cross. Here we have eight Belgians of which there are six from the region. That is a first a very important element in our success," he told Sporza

"Secondly, we decided long ago to preserve the authenticity of the Six-Days. In other words: we have no VIP tables in the central square, the supporters and so the sport gets priority here and it is very appreciated." 

Journalist Freddy De Geest who follows the six-day events for Het Nieuwsblad, agrees: "I think Gent will continue to be a success because the sport is much more important than the show here. In foreign races, the show is more important than the race."

The Rio Oympics gets all the attention abroad. For the Belgians, it is different, says De Geest: "I was at the European Championships and it struck me that in an Olympic year our riders find it more important to win the Six-Days of Ghent than to do well in World Cups and at Worlds. I think that's weird. "

To breathe new life into the Six-Day circuit, Discart and German rider Christian Grassmann both look to the UCI.

"Who or what is the UCI?" Grassmann said. "At the moment, it is all about the road, there is nothing for the track. If the system doesn't change, track cycling will die all over the world."

"The UCI should make efforts to recognize the Six-Day events. The Six-Days are still the foundation for track cycling," Discart added.