Gallery: double vision at Berlin Six-Day

Gallery: double vision at Berlin Six-Day

As the 2019 Berlin six-day approaches later this month, we look back to 2017 when native photographer Timm Kölln captured the 106th edition of the world’s longest running Six

Racing Rouleur issue 17.7 rouleur magazine Timm Kölln Track cycling Track racing

An iconic image of Muhammad Ali provided the inspiration for Timm Kölln’s photo essay of his hometown race – the Berlin Six-Day, the longest-running event of its type in the world.

Neil Leifer positioned himself in the roof of the Houston Astrodome in 1966 to capture one of the greatest photographs of The Greatest, the champion wheeling away from the stricken Cleveland Williams, flat on his back on the canvas, with Ali’s arms aloft as the referee counted out the unfortunate challenger.

Read: Never meet your heroes? I partnered mine in a six-day

Kölln took to the rafters of the famous Velodrom for a bird’s eye view of the riders circling the track – almost merging with the boards, creating a pure graphic experience via double exposure images from above.

The Madison, that potentially devilishly confusing event that has been central to the Six-Day race since its inception, becomes a blur of high-speed, multi-coloured jerseys, handslings in progress, riders intricately negotiating the ever-changing, weaving snake of cyclists.

Back at track level, sprinters, proud as oversized peacocks, tense their spectacular quadriceps, showboating for the crowd with long-lasting track stands before the furious dash to the line. 

And stehers – ‘stayers’ in English – all but extinct in Six-Day racing, thrash round on their bizarre-looking specially adapted machines, tucked behind equally bizarre-looking powerful motorbikes, standing proud on their roaring BMWs to afford maximum shelter to their charges.

Gallery: Six Day London by Benedict Campbell

The effect of Kölln’s double exposure photos captures the essence of a Six: music, lights, action, speed – an alcohol-fuelled riot of bike racing so perfectly suited to Berlin and its party atmosphere.

But also the confusion. Who is winning? What lap are we on? What are they sprinting for? Hang on, why is a man on a peculiar BMW tearing round the banking? Why is my head spinning? 

Relax, have another beer, go with the flow. That’s Six-Day racing. 

 

 

Racing Rouleur issue 17.7 rouleur magazine Timm Kölln Track cycling Track racing

READ MORE

‘No-one else is helping you find a job’: The cycling champions still without a contract for 2025

‘No-one else is helping you find a job’: The cycling champions still without a contract for 2025

There is an estimated 100 WorldTour riders still without a confirmed contract for next season

Leggi di più
Let the transfers begin: The biggest movers and shakers for the 2025 season

Let the transfers begin: The biggest movers and shakers for the 2025 season

With the transfer window officially open as of August 1, we look at some of the most intriguing moves in the men’s and women’s WorldTour...

Leggi di più
Il Lombardia 2024: Route, prediction and contenders

Il Lombardia 2024: Route, prediction and contenders

Can anyone stop Tadej Pogačar taking a fourth consecutive win in the race of the falling leaves?

Leggi di più
Opinion: What is the point in the Gravel World Championships?

Opinion: What is the point in the Gravel World Championships?

Both the men’s and women’s races were won by seasoned road professionals who will barely compete in the rainbow stripes next year

Leggi di più
'There’s almost no team tactics': Van der Poel overpowers the field in show of strength at Gravel World Championships

'There’s almost no team tactics': Van der Poel overpowers the field in show of strength at Gravel World Championships

The Dutchman adds to his collection of rainbow jerseys with a dominant display in Belgium

Leggi di più
A showdown the UCI would have longed for - Vos and Kopecky face-off lights up the Gravel World Championships

A showdown the UCI would have longed for - Vos and Kopecky face-off lights up the Gravel World Championships

Lotte Kopecky impressed in her first-ever gravel race, but in the end there stood the familiar sight of Marianne Vos in the rainbow bands

Leggi di più

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Independent journalism, award winning content, exclusive perks.

Banner Image