Things are looking better than ever for next month’s Gent Six-Days, according to competition director Patrick Sercu. Ticket sales are reportedly up 7% on he same time last year, despite the uncertainty that still hangs over the appeal of three-time winner and local hero Iljo Keisse.
Keisse, who was born and raised in Gent tested positive for both cathine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) after his victory in the 2008 event. He was cleared by the Belgian federation (KBWB), who agreed that he did not intentionally ingest either substance, but the Court for Arbitration (CAS) in Sport upheld an appeal from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and he was banned for two years.
The 27-year-old has since appealed again and the verdict is expected on November 15th, just eight days before the Gent Six is due to start.
“We can’t control whether Keisse will be able to ride or not,” said Sercu, who won an incredible 88 six day events as a rider, to Sporza. “Of course he is indispensable in creating an atmosphere as he’s the only Belgian who is truly World class.
“If Iljo is riding we will decide who his partner will be,” he added. “Naturally everyone wants to ride with Keisse and I have some options in my head.”
Keisse himself is hopeful of a return, but is disillusioned over some recent anti-doping decisions. “EPO-CERA [Danilo Di Luca – ed]: 14 months suspension; Clenbuterol [Alberto Conador – ed]: you can feel it, probably no suspension; Cough Syrup [Keisse himself – ed]: 24 months suspension,” he recently wrote on his website. “Can you still follow?”
If his appeal is unsuccessful, Keisse will not be able to return to racing until August 2011. Whether or not he makes it to the Gent Six though, things are going well for the event.
“Despite the uncertainty about Keisse we are selling a lot of tickets,”said Sercu. “The Six-Days does not stand or fall on one rider; that has been proven.”
While Sercu must wait on the court decision before inviting Keisse, he is pleased that 2009 winners Alex Rasmussen and Michael Mørkøv will be there.
“They are riding a few six-days this winter,” he said, “and they’re very happy to be here.
“Also, Danilo Hondo,” he added, “who as a young track rider was very strong at the start of his career. He also was also suspended for two years and now wants to ride the winter races to make up some of the lost time, and recover some money.”
The 70th edition of the Gent Six-Days will be raced between November 23rd and 28th at the Kuipke track in Gent’s Citadelpark.