Six of the best

At a time of year when most pros are living like us mere mortals — enjoying the sunshine, lying down, reading a book while munching on ‘normal food’ and drinking the odd beer — it was most enjoyable to see Mark Cavendish and Pete Kennaugh riding Six Day London.

These nights are a great spectacle for cycling fans. Lots of races all under one roof, excitement and food and drink available — what more could you want? Cav is a fans’ favourite all round the globe and to see him doing this six-day on home soil in front of his most loyal fans was very admirable. OK, so he will be getting a fair wedge for it, but he does seem to genuinely enjoy it (remember him doing the ‘YMCA’ in Ghent last year?), the fans love seeing him, and he seems to thrive on that, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

So while most other riders have downed tools, let’s raise a glass, or two, to Cav and Kennaugh, doing this for the fans when they should be on holiday. Not many other sport stars would do the same, and it certainly helped bump up the crowds at what has again been a fantastic London Six.

Alan Tickner, email