Kenny De Ketele and Jasper De Buyst will begin the final day of the Rotterdam Six-Day as overall leaders. After five days, the two Belgians hold a one-lap lead three rival teams – all set to take a bonus lap and create a four-way fight.
“Our one-lap advantage doesn’t really count because all our rivals will take one as well tomorrow," said De Buyst. “It will come down to a points’ battle. Or one couple needs to be so strong that they can take another lap. I think Niki Terpstra and Iljo Keisse are our biggest opponents, but we will also have to watch the others.”
Terpstra and Keisse count 295 points and sit in second behind the Belgians at 308 points. Danes Michael Mørkøv and Alex Rasmussen hold third place with 292 and Jens Mouris and Wim Stroetinga fourth with 185. Once a pair reaches a 100 multiple, it takes a bonus lap. The standings should guarantee a thrilling final on Tuesday night.
Best position
Terpstra and Keisse proved how strong they are in the second Madison. They took control by taking an early lap. They were able to wait after that and just countered every attack by their rivals. Eventually, the chase ended in a sprint that Mørkøv narrowly won over Terpstra.
“It was a really tough race but I’m glad we could finish it off with a strong sprint," said Rasmussen. "This was the penultimate day so everyone tried to get in the best position possible. That’s why this win was so important.”
Belkin Boys
Theo Bos and Graeme Brown scored their first victory of the week in the opening Madison. The team Belkin riders worked hard to form the lead group and Brown won the four-way sprint. Given they lost seven laps on day one, their win failed to change the top end of the standings.
Overall standings:
1. Kenny De Ketele/Jasper De Buyst 308
1 lap down
2. Niki Terpstra/Iljo Keisse 295
3. Michael Mørkøv/Alex Rasmussen 293
4. Jens Mouris/Wim Stroetinga 185
2 laps down
5. Barry Markus/Leif Lampater 152
8 laps down
6. Yoeri Havik/Nick Stöpler 166
9 laps down
7. Robert Bartko/Marcel Kalz 108
13 laps down
8. Franco Marvulli/Tristan Marguet 140
9. Vivien Brisse/Marc Hester 108
18 laps down
10. Michel Kreder/Wesley Kreder 42
11. Guy East/Daniel Holloway 34
20 laps down
12. Theo Bos/Graeme Brown 84
13. Melvin Boskamp/Jesper Asselman 42
23 laps down
14. Arno van der Zwet/Nolan Hoffman 64
24 laps down
15. Didier Caspers/Melvin van Zijl 10
Matic VEBER 28 years | today |
Tom DERNIES 34 years | today |
Nico CLAESSENS 39 years | today |
Andrew ROCHE 53 years | today |
Andre ROOS 22 years | today |
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