Inside Cycling’s Craziest Race | The Ghent Six Day

The Six Days of Ghent, a six-day track cycling race, held annually at the Kulpke velodrome, is one of the most exciting track racing events in the world. Mitch Docker, ex pro cyclist, heads to the event where he tries out the track and talks to the riders, getting fully involved in the cycling celebrations!
00:00 Intro
02:35 Derny bike race
03:30 Elimination track race
04:00 Madison track race
04:40 Points bike race
05:16 Cycling scratch race
5:46 Aaron Gate interview
08:34 The Ghent bikes
14:00 Iljo Keisse interview
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[@gcn]

Would you ever go to 6 days of Ghent? 👀

[@simonknowles4267]

If GCN are paying…I’m there

[@user-yx1qk4sk5t]

The mullet provides an additional 35 watts. Respect the mullet.

[@_Tp___]

Respect the mullet and the mullet will respect you

[@adadinthelifeofacyclist]

Like a 1970s Matt Stephens

[@HeibesHealth]

I’ve tried, but I just can’t get on board with the mullet. I couldn’t do it in the 80s and early 90s and still can’t today. LoL.

[@ESBestrom]

That's actually a fhairing.

[@gcn]

Aero mullet for the win 🙌

[@chrisridesbicycles]

Good on you for making the most of what should have been a hour long GCN+ documentary. I already miss them a lot. Mitch is always great, keep this partnership up in some way.

[@mommamooney]

That was my thought; this was supposed to be a GCN + film

[@gcn]

We'll be tapping on Mitch's shoulder soon we're sure. What videos would you like to see Mitch in?

[@chrisridesbicycles]

@@gcn With the classics season at the doorstep, a video about the cycling culture in Belgium would be great. We all know Flanders and Liege but there are the smaller races and kermesses and a lot more to talk about. I loved the „Cycling Heartlands“ series on GCN+. Something similar to that.

[@RobinBassett]

@@gcn To be honest Mitch could get me enthused about nipping to the CoOp for a pint of milk! Classics time is time to use him!

[@Stickygoma]

You just know this was originally a full GCN+ film! Awesome

[@andrewmcalister3462]

I'm glad they were able to show it on the main channel.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

KZbin is the main channel?​@@andrewmcalister3462

[@julianallen515]

Damn, I can't believe I missed that one. When was it released?

[@DaC10101]

@@julianallen515I suspect it was meant to be but never was. It can only have been filmed in mid/late November

[@mommamooney]

I think it would have been a film, but they got shuttered. Glad to see the work not go to waste

[@jed1mstr]

Glad to see more Mitch even after the loss of GCN+. More of the GCN+ Documentary presenters on GCN Please!!!

[@gcn]

We love shooting with Mitch? What should he do next... Style Tips With Mitch Docker?

[@julianallen515]

Classic understated Mitch. "Have you ever did madison before?" "Yep......... I rode the World Cups, I rode against youyou wouldn't remember though" LOL.

[@LS1conehead]

Yes, they are not quite as totally insane on a 250 meter UCI World Cup track, but still crazy.

[@goldenmath4091]

Mitch is a fun guy, looks like alot of thrills Happy new year everyone!

[@randyshoquist7726]

I'm an old amateur track racer from the USA, and I loved riding Madison races. Hardest thing you can do on a bike... and the most fun. I attended the Copenhagen 6-day in 2019, and it was a real eye opener. The pros are so fast and skillful. One sessions I was sitting in front of a group of twenty-somethings who were travelling the world, following the 6-day circuit, Berlin, London, Melbourne, Hong Kong, what a life. They said, "Oh, you must go to Ghent! It's just different from all the others." Maybe I will someday. Thanks for this intimate look.

[@imbalolpro]

You can definitely do full hours on KZbin. I'll watch it on the trainer! ❤

[@gcn]

We hear you! Watch this space 🙌

[@bikeyclown4669]

Thanks for covering some 6-Day racing. It was already struggling as a cycling event before the COVID epidemic, but it nearly died after that. I've never had the honor of seeing one in person, but I hope to some day.

[@oneilldy]

@gcn we will watch Mitch Docker do anything. Keep them coming.

[@BreakawayB]

🤩 LOVE Mitch Docker content! MORE PLEASE!!!

[@liamm8992]

Such a fun event, and the geography means you can typically mix a couple of days in 't Kuipke with some CX to get that full on Flemish cycling overload.

[@paperxray]

love that GCN introduces me to cycling disciplines I previously know nothing about. this video also reminds me could we PLEASE make the GCN+ documentaries and films available somewhere to watch? one can also dream that GCN will continue to make new ones...

[@illusionist27]

Video idea: Explore the 6 Day race series in different countries with challenges, interviews, and mineral waters from each track around the world!

[@AndyLewsey]

Mitch is great! Hopefully there's more with him in the pipeline. I loved the Ozzy pub crawl on GCN+

[@gcn]

Oooo GCN pub crawl sounds good to us! We might even get Dan on a bike then 😂

[@paulbuckles5353]

This was so nice to watch as it brought back good memories to my visits to the Gent Six over the years. I received an all-access credential one year, as a friend and I were helping with a couple amateur USA riders as their "Coach" and Verzorger'. They were riding against the likes of Marcel Kaltz, Tosh Van der Sande and Roger Kluge, and were a bit outgunned, but we enjoyed the time. I had the good fortune to sit next to Iljo Keisses' father and family the first year Iljo won the race, He turned to me an simply said :" am so happy!" It's also nice to see my good friend DVH with you at 18:35. I hope to get back there soon, as it is the hometown of my wifes' great-grandfather - small world.

[@kibblerspencer]

I love seeing Mitch on GCN videos!

[@gcn]

Mitch is a pleasure to shoot with, should we get him back?

[@veloman59]

What a tremendous film Mitch thanks so much. I remember the Ghent Six with such fondness being a spectator over many years. I was there when Cav and Sir Bradley dominated. An absolutely awesome event. The Primus Hacht free beer vouchers also helped! I love it though - no atmosphere like it!

[@gcn]

One of the best audiences in cycling for sure 🙌

[@nwiniata4776]

I went to Ghent in 2015. As I remember it - my friend and I went to a party - it was in the middle of a velodrome - we drank lots of beer and had a fantastic time along with everyone else - and I think we saw some cycle racing too.... Thoroughly recommended!

[@oheso]

Freshest, best thing I've seen here in ages. More by Mitch, please!

[@TreyGruel]

We haven't had a "mineral waters" reference in ages! Love Mitch's enthusiasm.

[@DJMSydney]

An awesome watch! Mitch is a great presenter and would love to see regular content from him OR become a GCN presenter.

[@adamrourke1807]

Wow Mitch I remember when you rode for Drapac! Keep the commentating up you do nice work & very fun to listen too cheers..

[@iiatyy]

Great seeing Mitch on GCN, in particular his interviewing is so fun to watch, such a warm person!

[@ralfamann2849]

Very well explained! It's great fun to watch, and to ride it yourself too! It's sad that the race in Berlin only has two evenings left. It used to be a full 24 hours six times.

[@walshman70]

This was a great video. I really enjoy Mitch and his commentary!

[@jamespurchase4035]

Went to the Ghent 6 years ago. Had a great time. Awsome event

[@gcn]

Still recovering we imagine?

[@richardcrowe5157]

I really enjoyed this one, thanks. The track cycling content you have done has been really good.

[@richcrompton6891]

Bloody hell, that would have been an awesome + video! You did an awesome job of the edit to convey all the excitement and history into 20 mins, but would have loved another 40 mins of Mitch and a deeper dive into the mayhem

[@clintonshiells3095]

This is my favorite GCN video ever! I’ve got to make it to the Ghent Six one day.

[@gcn]

Do it! You won't be disappointed 👀

[@yijuntey]

never heard of the Ghent six day before but this is such an interesting event. Thanks for making this video. Happy new year!

[@gcn]

Will you be heading to the event this year? 👀

[@supakidgalaxy]

Can’t wait for those gcn+ movies to be available somewhere, this guys was in some good ones!

[@zachrichardson7099]

"After several mineral waters" got me

[@christopherrichardson-wrig6389]

Our group of lads appear in this far too many times! Great to meet Mitch, doubt he remembers it mind...

[@wouterdobbelaere]

Almost as good as being there! Great show!

[@evandarling699]

Epic mustache!

[@miche_amico]

Really enjoyed this!

[@chancebockenstest5170]

Bout to ride the same style track in about 1 hour. Excited to see what the turns feel like.

[@tomcruz3774]

One of my fave gcn videos

[@mommamooney]

That was cool! Thanks for sharing

[@zachodell2394]

That looks incredibly entertaining

[@marvmininger1835]

Mr. Docker is so ccol. Keep up the great content!

[@gcn]

Pure style 👌

[@geoffreyhoney122]

How do you do it gcn? I don't like racing but I clicked and am I ever glad I did! This was a fascinating insight into super short track racing! Thank you to Mitch for being such a good ambassador! (And proving he's still got it!!

[@gcn]

This is what it's all about! Getting people interested in cycling 🙌 It's not all about racing though, we've got some great videos on epic rides and silly challenges... this one is a firm staff favourite 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp3FYXeiodh2Y8U

[@GeekonaBike]

I never realized the the Gent 6 track was 1/2 the distance of the 333m tracks I raced on back in the day. That looks like Crazy Fun!

[@GravelRat]

Great video!!!!!!

[@barnettkr]

Glad to see Mitch handling his mineral waters better than other GCN attendees.

[@hicky62]

Used to go to the Skol six day in London. It wasn't as crazy as Ghent, but still mad. I remember in the foyer the one year was a bike covered in gold leaf, for sale £2500. Seems really cheap now with the price of bikes. The mullet wasn't stylish then either.

[@stickmenkissarmy6907]

More stuff like this 👌

[@tomhowell9074]

Good on ya Mitch!

[@NAW32Nicoisme]

Happy new year 🎉🎉🎉

[@333wheeler]

Remember the old 1970s London Skol six with Stars like Sercu , Tony Gowland , and Danny Clark. Great nights out.

[@paulbuckles5353]

Patrick Sercu ran the Gent Six till his passing. It was common to bump into other legends; Merckx, Maertens, Van Looy, Boonen, Van Petegem and many others.

[@LS1conehead]

@@paulbuckles5353 King Eddy even paired with Patrick (Sercu) for some 6 Day wins way way back in the day!

[@thewanderer360]

This video must hold the GCN record for the number of times beer was mentioned!

[@gcn]

We'll do a counter 👀

[@gcn]

Mineral Waters For All 🍻

[@santiagobenites]

Wait a minute! I'm confused. Was that mineral water, or was it beer? LOL This was great, and we love Mitch Docker! 😁🤩

[@davehanhela5997]

Nice one :-) Missing GCN+ already tho.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

I wanna be a derny driver when I grow up. 😃

[@gcn]

We can all dream 👀

[@wonderwatch2239]

Six day is pure cycling entertainment 🤗👌

[@gcn]

Cycling as it's best 👌

[@tullochgorum6323]

Still seems to be basically a local event, main won by Belgians. In 2016 the Brits put up a team with Cavendish and Wiggins, who predictably won, but since then it's been Belgians all the way.

[@cycologist7069]

Now I know why I've never seen Mitch Docker and Chuck Norris together.

[@Turbobuttes]

Solid Austrayans to mullets ratio in this one, mates!

[@ilanpi]

Since it's the shortest velodrome, it's also the slowest velodrome, as is shown by the low gears they are using.

[@paulbuckles5353]

but this is massively overshadowed by the intensity of racing on a 166.33m track.

[@mediumDave]

Love Mitch!!

[@gcn]

yeah! So much energy!

[@ankaslodek3759]

Happy new year

[@EverettWilson]

Imagine a six day in Sin City. Velodrome for Vegas! (Mullets for the masses!)

[@wuzihuzi]

Great see a fellow Aussie up there! Hope we get to see more of Mitch 🤙

[@gazzervw]

Gotta love Mitch 👍👍😁

[@jonathanzappala]

The best part at the end was when Mitch said he enjoyed several mineral waters in there 😂

[@fwschnaar3179]

That was so “Awesome!” 👍🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🍺

[@djrlloyd]

Respect to Gurney Man👍👍

[@jessewhite2226]

Loving this presenter!

[@devilsboxcar3925]

LOVE Mitch

[@duathlete827]

Oooooohhhhh, it's a drinking competition!

[@Shadowboost]

POC Elicit Ti sunnies. Very nice!

[@martinashwell]

Personally, what I’ll miss most about the demise of GCN+ are the documentaries presented by the likes of Mitch, Jack Thurston, Alec Brigs (amongst others). Hopefully this is representative of what’s to come, not just a remnant of what never got broadcast. If so I’ll be a happy boy

[@gcn]

We loved shooting with all the contributors to GCN+ , We're hoping it won't be the last time you see them no the channel. We would love to get them back on KZbin for some crazy challenges!

[@billkallas1762]

I thought that Derny's had a roller on the back of their bike, so you could bump into it and not crash. I never raced behind a Derny, but I've done training rides behind one, where your team lined up behind a Derny, on the track, and when you were behind it, instead of just pulling off, you had to sprint to get your front wheel up next to the Derny's before dropping back to the back of the group. Every few minutes, the driver would kick up the speed two mph. My cycling Mentor raced 6 Days up in Canada, and over in Europe, in the late 50's, and early 60's.

[@randyshoquist7726]

The big motorcycles for motor-paced/stayer/steyer/demi-fond racing have rollers, and the bikes are special. Not practiced much anymore, outside of Germany. Eliminated from the world championships in the 90s. Too bad. I like the big motors.

[@LS1conehead]

@@randyshoquist7726 Yes, those motors with the drivers in a very upright position (actually standing basically) for maximal drafting effect, and the crazy huge gearing/specialized geometry/reversed front fork and smaller front wheel of the stayer bikes enabled some insane average speeds for 100km races on those board tracks.

[@kennethward9530]

Slight correction-banking of turns isn’t 52 percent, it’s 52 degrees (which is well over 100% grade). 😮

[@sensesfailler]

For those wondering ... You've got to be fast to score some tickets. Especially for the closing nights. Oh and don't dress to warm :) Temps could get up really fast.

[@sofagough4456]

Young Iljo still looks the part after a year of retirement

[@Everton4109]

Welp. Added to bucket list

[@scottcollis1123]

More Mitch in 2024 please #releasethemullet

[@sandgroper1970]

Hey Maybe you can do a video on the 6 day Event in Berlin Germany

[@David-qx8jm]

Is that mustach and mulet UCI legal?? Mama says cycling is an outdoor sport.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

lol at the outtakes mineral water jab

[@hufnaglep]

That kinda looks fun if u had that track b nice to to with some friends. Like the elimination one . b cool to do with friends 2 v 2 elimination.

[@boriss.861]

The Mullet is not dead quite yet!

[@Niala8419]

I hope Mitch tells Daniel Friebe all about this 😂😂😂

[@adadinthelifeofacyclist]

I'm sure you mean 52° on the corners; 52% is not particularly steep

[@Gixer750pilot]

Aussies love a mullet

[@gcn]

Correction! We all love a mullet! 😎

[@nzogaz]

Aaron Gate is a kiwi

[@evanbrom1]

I want to know more about those motor bikes that pace

[@randyshoquist7726]

Wikipedia has a decent, short article to start.

[@Jaysee2164]

own multiple track bikes and never been on a velodrome lmaoo

[@liewchengyeh]

we need to promote this more than other race (like animal race....) also can cultivate more future athelite/sportsmen/sportswomen....

[@ChicaLocaGB]

The presenter transported me back to 1986. Got nothing of Pat Sharp though...

[@abedfo88]

Do you remember when Dan had 8 mineral waters at the Ghent 6 days

[@gcn]

We do... not sure Dan does though!

[@troyeaston3479]

Is anyone sad that, in the US, we now have to pay for not only a Max subscription at $9.99 per month but also the B/R sports add-on for another $9.99 per month just to watch cycling which GCN+ so excellently and creatively brought us before being shut down? (Currently, the B/R add-on is free "for a limited time." I doubt it will be free in February of 2024)

[@robinstevens6218]

It's Kuipke* not Kulpke.. It translates to barrel or something.

[@WarreVdM]

Mitch, where is Garry Hagger?

[@grintalcycles8266]

I wonder if he had as many mineral waters as Dan Lloyd.

[@gcn]

Did someone say drink-off? 🍻

[@andrewsandoz8005]

"Epic" one of the new over used words.

[@JerryHilts]

Mitch, you might need to trim your mustache a bit. Some of the foam from your "mineral water" was getting caught in it.

[@jamesdubben3687]

For the love of all that is all round and rolly, switch the Derny Bikes over to Electric!

[@LS1conehead]

For the World Championship (and Olympic) Keirin events they do use electric pace bikes.