Six Days of Gent to remember Gálvez

By Monika Prell

This year's Six Days of Gent will open with a commemorative lap on Tuesday, November 20, to remember cyclist Isaac Gálvez, who was died tragically while competing at last year's event. Organisers announced that a memorial stone will be uncovered in the Het Kuipke velodrome's entrance during a short ceremony where they will pay homage to Gálvez.

The track world champion and road cyclist for Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears collided with Dimitri De Fauw during Saturday night's race at last year's event and fell onto the rail at the top of the track. Gálvez lost consciousness immediately and died on the way to the Gent University Clinic hospital.

The venue has had several improvements made since last year's event, including the addition of protective padding on the rail at the top of the track as well as increased security measures to protect riders and fans alike. A new operating theatre was installed in cellar of the velodrome, as well as projection screens of acrylic glass at the entries and exits of the interior of the circle.

Juan Llaneras, the co-World Champion with Gálvez who was racing with him at the time of the accident has since returned to Six Day racing with fellow Spaniard Carlos Torrent, but will not contest the 67th edition of the Six Days of Gent, which will be held from November 20 to 25.