No Bartko for Berlin

Robert Bartko has won two Six Days races so far this season, but he will not be appearing at his "home" race, the 97th Berliner Sechstagrennen, January 24 to 29. "I would have to start there for a fee 30 percent smaller than last year," he said, according to the sid press agency. "And I had already made a smaller request, since I am no longer World Champion."

Race organiser Heinz Seesing criticised the rider, saying, "For me this kind of behaviour falls under the heading of 'playing for more money.'"

Bartko and Iljo Keisse have already won the Amsterdam Six Day and the Gent Six Day this season. He would have had a different partner in Berlin.