GHENT (Belgium) – The Kuipke is located in the city centre, precisely inside the Citadel Park, At this moment, a carpet of yellow leaves lies on the ground. It appears to be a building like any other. It's hard to say that its tall windows guard one of the most prestigious and historic velodromes in Europe.
Over 100 years
The Kuipke was built in 1913, but it wasn't like it is now, nor in the same place. It consisted of a 210-meter loop cycle path, built inside the Palazzo Floreale, but still in Cittadella Park. The velodrome was built in 1922, and, like the rest of the system today, it could be dismantled. The final one dates back to the 60s. Its peculiarity is that it is very short, 166,66 meters, and for this reason it is considered super technical.
The first one also dates back to 1922 Six Days of Ghent, since then it has been a true monument. This is mainly due to the legendary editions in which you could see it running over the years Buysse, Van Steenbergen, Ockers, Terruzzi, Merckx, De Vlaeminck, Sercu… until you get to Villa, Martinello, Wiggins, Cavendish, Viviani.
Ghent resists
Today the Kuipke hosts what many consider to be the last true Six Days. We didn't expect to see so many people, and especially so engaged. It's a nonstop party. There's a great desire to participate in what, in some ways, also becomes a social event for the city.
High heart rate: the watchword both for those on the court and for those experiencing the thrill of the race in and around the stands.
From the moment you walk through the doors of the Kuipke you enter another world. The world of cycling. It starts in the late afternoon with the under 23s and goes on until 1 am. As the offices gradually empty, the stands and the space in the center of the track fill up. This is where the noise gets loud. It seems like staying there without a beer is illegal!
Beyond the race
And this is where the most passionate fans also hang out. Martinello ci had warned that the local crowd would make themselves heard, especially with their favorites: well, we had proof of it! Singing, dancing and glasses raised especially for Jules Hesters and Fabio Van den Bossche, both from Ghent.
Everything is in motion and in turmoil. The athletes running around the track. The masseurs setting up the booths inside the basin, preparing the salts, or doing the laundry. Yes, you read that right. The riders change at least a couple of times in this continuous carousel, and next to the booths are small washer-dryers.
Meanwhile, the crowd is moving. The seats are occupied, but the area around and in the tunnels leading to the center of the velodrome is a constant hubbub.
Keisse's bar
And the party continues outside, too. There's a bar 200 meters from the Kuipke that's worth a visit. It's De Karper and it belongs to Keisse's family. Iljo's dad runs it. Last year, right on his home track, the rider of the Deceuninck-Quick Step He bid farewell to his career. He was honored by the city, fans, and riders. Another historic moment for the velodrome.
On the walls and ceiling of the bar there are photos and T-shirts. And there's also a little piece of Tour of ItalyThe bottle from 2015 when Keisse won a stage.
Many people stop by for a beer (there's a huge selection) before entering the velodrome. It's a cycling scene. Usually, there are Irish pubs here, but this is a Belgian pub, and instead of St. Patrick's Days on the walls, they worship bikes!
Unchanged spirit
Someone told us that the Six Days of the past are no more. But something simple and beautiful tells us: Fabio Masotti, technician today FCI and former track cyclist. "You see," he explains, "everything has changed today. Materials, shorter races... but the spirit is the same and certain things like the cabins on the track (opening photo, ed.) they are identical to those of the past."
Meanwhile, as we write, the velodrome is packed again this evening. The music is loud. The track is packed. The party is on. The DJ even manages to get the riders to wave while they're running. And the Kuipke gets inside you.
