Description

Fausto Coppi

Fausto was the dominant cyclist in the Peloton after the Second World War. His many victories earned him the title Il Campionissimo (“Champion of Champions”). He was an all-around racing cyclist, excelling in both climbing and time trialing, and was also a great sprinter. He won the Giro d’Italia five times (1940, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953), the Tour de France twice (1949 and 1952), and the World Championship in 1953. Other notable results include winning the Giro di Lombardia five times, Milan–San Remo three times, as well as victories at Paris–Roubaix and La Flèche Wallonne, and setting the hour record (45.798 km) in 1942.

Ferdinando Terruzzi

Ferdinando Terruzzi (1924–2014) was a dominant Italian track cyclist best known for his success in six-day races and sprint events. He won the gold medal in the tandem event at the 1948 London Olympics alongside Renato Perona, representing Italy. Nicknamed “Il Re delle Sei Giorni” (“The King of the Six Days”), Terruzzi amassed more than 50 victories in six-day races throughout his career, making him one of the most successful riders in the discipline. He raced professionally from the late 1940s through the 1960s, forming notable partnerships with riders such as Rik Van Steenbergen and Fausto Coppi, and was especially popular in European velodromes for his explosive speed and crowd appeal.

So, What is Six-day Racing, Anyway?

Six-day track racing originated in the 19th century as part of a fascination with novel endurance sporting events. The earliest six-day races were straightforward contests to see who could ride the most laps on a track over six days. The format soon evolved to feature two-man teams, with riders taking turns on the track and dividing up the 24-hour periods—they even ate meals while riding.

Modern six-day racing takes place over six nights on indoor tracks, typically from 6 pm to 2 am. The overall winner is the team that completes the most laps. In addition to the “chase” to gain laps over competitors, a typical six-day program includes time trials, motor-paced races, intermediate sprints, and elimination races.

In the “chase” or Madison events (named after Madison Square Garden in New York City, where the two-rider format was devised), both riders may be on the track simultaneously, taking turns racing and using a hand-sling technique to propel each other back into action.