The Six Days of Antwerp was a six-day track cycling race held annually in Antwerp, Belgium.
Kees Pellenaars changes a wheel during the 1947 Six Days of Antwerp
Jan Derksen (center) with Rik Van Steenbergen (right) in the 1958 Six Days of Antwerp
Six-day cycling is a track cycling event that takes place over six days. Six-day races started in Britain, spread to many regions of the world, were brought to their modern style in the United States and are now mainly a European event. Initially, individuals competed alone, the winner being the individual who completed the most laps. However, the format was changed to allow teams, one rider racing while the other rested. The 24-hours a day regime has also been relaxed, so that most six-day races involve six nights of racing, typically from 6pm to 2am, on indoor tracks (velodromes). Six-day events are annually hosted in London, Berlin, Ghent, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Manchester, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Racing at the 2007 Six Days of Dortmund
A six-day race at Madison Square Garden II in December 1908
Riders rest in small cabins beside the track when the race is in progress
Riders compete not only in madisons but in subsidiary competitions behind pacers