|
|
|
The 1951 Festival of Britain aimed to boost science and the economy plus sport and tourism.
|
|
Billed as part of the Festival of Britain it ran from 28-May to 2-June 1951
Report of the 1951 race from the 1952 programme -
“The first post-war Six at Wembley was, of course, held last year, existing conditions precluding the management from staging it earlier.
Twelve teams competed and right from the first day it was the Australians, Strom and Arnold, who lead the field with the Belgians, Adriaenssens and Bruylandt, in hot pursuit. These teams set up a terrific rivalry.
Then sensation of the race occurred in the early hours of the final day when Adriaenssens crashed and fractured his collar-bone. This was the third time he had suffered such an injury in six day events, but this courageous Belgian returned to the race in the afternoon.
At that stage he and Bruylandt were in third place, with Strom and Arnold leading, and the Italians, Rigoni and Terruzzi, second.
These positions were held until the clock showed that only 1 1/2 hours remained before the race ended.
Some minutes later the Belgians, Arnold, Rigoni and Gillen, who was riding with veteran Kilian, drew level. It was then the Belgians made their effort to gain a second lap.
Strom and Arnold did everything they could to regain the lead.
Each time they gained a few yards, the Belgians crept up behing them. Throughout the last hour a blistering pace was maintained. The sustained “jamming” had the crowd constantly on their feet but the Belgians, a lap in front, became the winners of the first post-war Wembley Six.”
|
|
|
|
Gerit BOEYEN and Henk LAKEMAN at Wembley
|
|
“Share Race Lead
LONDON, June 2 (A.A.P.)
Australian cyclists Alf Strom and Roger Arnold were joint leaders with Luxembourg representatives Kilian and Gillen, at the start of the last 24 hours of the Wembley six-day race.” Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW) 3-Jun-1951
“SURPRISE END OF 6-DAYS RACE
London, June 5.
Belgian cyclists Albert Bruylandt and Rene Adriaenssens snatched a lead of two laps only 90 minutes before the Wembley six-days race ended on Saturday night. Their sudden move gave them a surprise victory over Australians Alf Strom and Reg Arnold, who had seemed in an impregnable position.” Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW) 6-Jun-1951
|
This time there is some original material to use. The 1951 programme provides the full start list and background. It is online at flickr.
