Stayer

- even though the demi-fond was always widely recognised as being an extremely tough and highly skilled discipline.

Yes, indeed, a lot of accidents has happen and some riders have got killed ............ but that's all before World War II 1940 - 1945.

The last stayer who got killed during a race was in 1959 when Belgian Willy "Rupske" Lauwers in Palma De Majorca (Spain) when he got 2 flat tyres (punctures) at the same time, and fell down off a very steep 50° banked track.

When you see how many stayer races are held and how many miles/km the stayers are riding behind this (special made) motors, without any accidents or injuries. The same is for the Derny races, because the pacers and riders are all very experienced in this.

Believe me, a lot more serious accidents happen (every year) in road races, the descents after Hill climbs, MTB descents, and not forget, during Keirin sprint races on the track.

I have seen a few hundred Derny and Stayer races, but are just waiting (and have never seen) a crash during a race or on training.
A bit different with some other track disiplines like madison, were I have seen 2, 3 , 4 and more crashes in only a 40 min. race.

If it is so dangerous I don't think that a 65 year old guy, like German stayer Paul Bruggeman, here behind his pacer, was still riding in competition in Germany and outside. (See picture enclosed)

ed073

+1

Bruno Walrave in the porno sunnies is pure gold!!

Tomity

I went to 6 days race in Berlin last week.

classic1

Gday Tomity. I'm jealous. Did you enjoy the racing?

oger

I am new to track and the different races, and unfamiliar with Stayer Racing. Could someone direct me to a good website/source so I can read up on this? I go to Lehigh and have not seen it there yet but I only started in past year. Thanks!

ed073

Rarely raced outside northern europe these days. Dangerous for the inexperienced (pacer & stayer) and hard to follow for a lot of the punters.

Wilchemy

Geez, the pacer in the first picture would give you about the same draft effect as a Mack truck!!

ed073

Porcine gents with about 30 years experience are highly sought after...

Wilchemy

Sounds like you are describing Ron Jeremey Different type of experience tho

ed073

that's gold.

Dubbayoo

https://video.google.com/videoplay?do...31514945&hl=en

oger

Now after seeing it "live", and I am completely ignorant of this type of track racing, I've got to ask: how do the riders communicate with the motorcycle riders? How does the racer tell the driver to speed up or down? How long is each race? Sorry but now I am really curious! Thank you all.

bitingduck

The riders can say one of two things to their driver: "Allez" (faster) and "Whoa" (slower). It's also apparently so loud (both the motorbike and the pedaled bike) that you couldn't say much more than that. A former 6-day racer I know was telling us about it one day and said "Yeah, and in all my years of racing I don't think I ever once said 'Allez'"-- the drivers really manage the race for their riders.

Dubbayoo

there's a pretty in depth article in the current ProCycling mag.

CafeRacer

Im pretty sure id need about 10 beers in me to find that entertaining.

platypus

at a 6-day they can accomodate you in this regard.

ed073

Pacers dictate the....errr.....pace. If they see the stayer dropping off the wheel, they'll ease off.

It's too loud.