Mark Macdonald racing the
Fiorenzoula, Italy
Six Day Track Race!
Last week H&R- Kona rider Mark MacDonald paired up with Daniele Defrancheski of Ontario to race their first 6-Day track race. The event was held in Fiorenzoula, Italy. For those of you unfamiliar with the 6-Day format it’s a number of track races competed in by teams of two. The most popular event through the six days of racing is the Madison.
Going into the race both riders felt a little overwhelmed. The field included no less than 4 world champions, the current Olympic champion and the active record holder for number of 6-Day wins (58). So as you would imagine night one started very nervously. However it didn’t take long for them to shake away the jitters and get down to racing. About half way through the Madison, Mark attacked the field towing one other team with them. The only other team to follow consisted of the current Olympic gold and silver medalists from the Madison. Both teams worked well together to gain the lap on the field before the next sprint lap. Many other teams were able to take the lap with other groups so the Canadians ended up finishing mid pack on night one.
The next few nights got faster and faster as the top teams jockeyed for podium spots. Mark and Daniele rode strong but seemed to find themselves just out of the points in most races (points only go 6 teams deep).
It wasn’t until night 4 that they would start to gain their attacking style back. That night consisted of only two races. First up was a 100km Madison. Most of the teams were very intimidated by this race as two hours is a very long time to race on the track. The Canadians took a lap on the field early on in the race but then seemed to sit back. Going into the last half of the race the pace was far too fast to keep gaining laps so everyone settled into a rhythm. To no one’s surprise the race finished in less than two hours for an average speed of 51 kilometers per hour. After that was the giro lenchato. This race is essentially a one lap team time trial with a Madison sling. One rider leads in his teammate then slings him into the race. Daniele led Mark in for the lap and they ended with a great time and sixth place.
Day six was another positive race as they gained points in a few of the events. Again the giro lenchato proved to be their strong race as they crossed the line fast enough for fifth.
After the full six days of racing Mark and Daniele ended up twentieth. Not where they would have liked to finish but considering how fast the racing was neither rider could be too disappointed. Both riders learned huge lessons during the week and should have very fast legs leading into the Pan American Championships at the end of the month.
For more information on the racing visit the race web site at www.6giornidellerose.net
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