British Six Day Racers Overseas

Even though the British Isles have had few six day races that has not stopped British riders going overseas to race. In fact since 1980 any rider with an ambition to do well in Six Day racing as had no choice. And this is my attempt at recording some of these Brits overseas ...

Riders from the British Isles who have competed in overseas six day races

Work in progress .... and there are bound to be plenty more.

• Maurice BURTON - 46 Sixes - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Mark CAVENDISH - 4 Sixes

• Nigel DEAN - 12 Sixes - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Dean DOWNING - 3 Sixes

• Russell DOWNING - 3 Sixes

• Tony DOYLE - 139 Sixes; 23 victories - see wikipedia entry

• Tony GOWLAND - 31 Sixes; 2 victories - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Robert HAYLES - 25 Sixes

• Barry HOBAN - 10 Sixes - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Norman HILL - 13 Sixes - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Paul MEDHURST - 21 Sixes; 2 victories - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Chris NEWTON - 2 Sixes

• Graham OBREE - 1 Six

• Hugh PORTER - 22 Sixes - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Tom SIMPSON - 16 Sixes; 1 victory

• Reg SMITH - 9 Sixes - see 1923-80 Riders entry

• Shaun WALLACE - 10 Sixes

• Bradley WIGGINS - 14 Sixes; 1 victory

• Spencer WINGRAVE - 6 Sixes

But even though this helps the case for a British Six Day race .. or two .. it’s not by much. And the sad fact is that there are presently no British riders that regularly appear on the European six day circuit.

The last time I checked the Six Day rider rankings (for the 2009-2010 season) there were no British names amongst the 95 riders with ranking points. And these rankings were not only for Europeans. Luke Roberts of Australia and Colby Pearce of the USA were just two of the “foreign” names in there too.

So despite Team GB getting the top track results at the 2008 Olympics and World Championships there was no carry-over into the Sixes. Perhaps it will only be when the state funding of medal-chasing ends that the situation will change. Before then would it even be possible to get a competitive British field together for a six day race? Sadly I don’t think that there will be any official attempts at making one happen.

Do you have any information that you can share?