An exciting finale is in store in the Six-Days of Rotterdam, with four pairs virtually being equal on laps with just one night to go. Below, UIV president Henrik Elmgreen analyzes the action of the penultimate day and praises Danes Alex Rasmussen/Michael Mørkøv who got back in contention after finding themselves some way back a few days ago.

It was a little bit of a Danish evening in AHOY on Monday. Danish victory in the 5th stage of the UIV Talents Cup and victory for Mørkøv – Rasmussen in the Elites 200 lap Madison at the end of the program. That chase was really something. Already after 50 laps everything exploded during a long fight between the three couples Keisse – De Buyst, Mouris – Stroetinga and Bartko – Kalz in attack and Keisse – Terpstra chasing. Nobody cared to help Keisse – Terpstra but still they managed to bring back the three teams. And it continued like that, not only between the top teams but also on the other levels of the overall. It was to a certain degree like the real final had already begun!

With 50 laps to go the four top teams were once again equal on zero, but that didn’t satisfy Keisse – Terpstra and De Ketele – De Buyst. They attacked again and for 20 laps you had teams all over the track.  The two teams gained their laps, and it looked like they had created the best possible position before the final on Tuesday. But together with Mouris – Stroetinga, the Danes Rasmussen – Mørkøv stroke back and again it was a status quo ante bellum. But Mouris – Stoetinga, clear behind the other three teams on points, tried one more time to change the situation. With just 16 laps to go they attacked, hoping for a lap win, alternatively for the stage win and some points. But a joint effort from their three rivals brought them back just three laps before the finish and in a cutthroat sprint Alex Rasmussen could beat Niki Terpstra after this 40 Km, which gave the crowd in AHOY and the many watchers on the live stream all what they could ask for!

Thanks to a bonus lap, De Ketele – De Buyst are in the lead with one lap before the final tonight. But as you can see from the overall, the teams Keisse – Terpstra and Mørkøv – Rasmussen are “technically” even with them. Mouris – Stroetinga may also gain a bonus-lap, but they will still be some 100 points behind.