Patrick Sercu committed to success at Gent Six-Days
Race director Patrick Sercu has responded to recent suggestions that November’s Gent Six-Days track race would be cancelled due to the ongoing suspension appeal of local hero Iljo Keisse, who is almost single-handedly responsible
for the current popularity of the Belgian race since his three consecutive wins from 2006-2008. Sercu has denied those suggestions and announced that ticket sales are actually better than ever for the race, 7% above 2009 sales already.
“Despite the uncertainty about Keisse we are selling a lot of tickets,” said Sercu. “The Six-Days does not stand or fall on one rider; that has been proven.”
Keisse is far-and-away the best Belgian six-day racer, with 88 career victories in six-day events already for the 27-year-old. The track cyclist was born and raised in Gent, which has hosted the event for the last 70 years and will
hold it at the Kuipke track in Gent’s Citadelpark from November 23 to 28 this year.
“We can’t control whether Keisse will be able to ride or not,” said Sercu to Sporza. “Of course he is indispensable in creating an atmosphere as he’s the only Belgian who is truly World class. If Iljo is riding we will decide who
his partner will be. Naturally everyone wants to ride with Keisse and I have some options in my head.”
Sercu has confirmed that top Belgian road racers Alex Rasmussen and Michael Morkov will compete in the track event.
“They are riding a few six-days this winter, and they’re very happy to be here,” he said. “Also, Danilo Hondo, who as a young track rider was very strong at the start of his career. He was also suspended for two years and now wants
to ride the winter races to make up some of the lost time, and recover some money.”
The triple-winner of the race was dealt a provisional suspension after a positive test at the 2008 race but the Belgian cycling federation ruled in his favour, allowing him to race through 2009.
Meanwhile, the World Anti-Doping Agency pursued an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who ruled in their favour and dealt Keisse a two-year ban. The cyclist is now pursuing his own appeal and the verdict will be decided
on November 15, eight days before the Gent Six begins.
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