Six Day season opens in Amsterdam

The road racing season is virtually over, but that only means that the season of Six Day track races has begun. It kicks off Tuesday in the Netherlands, with the Six Days of Amsterdam, from October 22-27.

The race will see Erik Zabel make his debut in a Six Day race outside of Germany. The Milram rider won three Six Days last year and has good chances in Amsterdam, as he will partner with defending champion Peter Schep. The Dutchman is also 2006 World points champion.

Schep's partner last year was Danny Stam, who this year will ride with Robert Slippens. The race is a family affair, too, as it features brothers Matthe and Jos Pronk. They won't be riding together, though, as Jos will be partnering with his nephew, road racer Bas Giling, who is making his Six Day debut.

Other pairs include Bruno Risi and Franco Marvulli, Iljo Keisse and Robert Bartko, Niki Terpstra and Jens Mouris, Andreas Beikirch and Leif Lampater, Joan Llaneras and Carlos Torrent, Matthé Pronk and Marc Hester, Aart Vierhouten and Kenny van Hummel, Bobbie Traksel and Hans Dekkers, and Kenny De Ketele and Wim Stroetinga. It is the first Six Day also for Traksel and Dekkers.

In addition, the sprint will be ridden by Theo Bos, Teun Mulder, Tim Veldt, Patrick Bos, Youndi Schmidt and Jaime van der Lugt.