American U23 rider heads to European Sixdays

US American track rider Jackie Simes IV, whose home track is the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, will soon start his third year participation in the European Sixday racing circuit. The 20-year-old is being sponsored by The Cycle Loft in Burlington, Massachusetts, along with some of the industry's top component manufacturers.

Simes will began with the Memorial Noel Forre in Gent, Belgium, on November 11 and then challenge his rivals at the Gent Sixday, which start on November 18, 2008. The fourth generation pro rider whose father, grandfather, great grandfather and cousin were all pro cyclists, looks to improve on his 2007 result in the Sixday, where he won the final night.

Kurt Begemann, The Cycle Loft's coach, feels that Simes has the talent and mental toughness to really make a go of it on the European Sixday circuit. "While I don't coach Jackie, I have been working hard to promote him, as I really believe he has a magnificent future ahead of him. He comes from a rich cycling pedigree and he has a good head on his shoulders," said Begemann.