The 1878 Cup event is named in celebration of the birth of Six Day Racing and will mark the re-birth of Six Day London. Sunday’s action will serve as a prologue to the rest of the week blending classic Six Day events together in a showcase for the very best in track riding skills.

The 1878 Cup is the perfect showcase for the talents of some the world’s top track riders. It is in essence an Omnium race where individual riders compete over a range of disciplines that test their skill, stamina and courage.

Expect thrills, spills, and white-knuckle riding as they compete to win the first Six Day silverware in the UK for 35 years. 

The Format

Each rider will take part in 5 events over the course of the day, each trying to place as highly as possible. 1 point is awarded for the winner of an event, 2 points for second, 3 points for third and so on down the field.

Unlike most sporting events where the highest score counts, in the 1878 Cup the aim is to score as few points as possible as the lowest accumulated total at the end of the day will mark out the overall winner.

The Events

20km Scratch Race

80 laps with a simple sprint finish. Sounds easy doesn’t it? Throw in lone attacks, small breakaways and fearsome chases the Scratch Race is one of the fiercest and most unpredictable races in the event.

Elimination Race

The race where the action is at the back! Every 2 laps a rider is eliminated id they have the misfortune to cross the line in last spot. The longer you can stay in the better it is and this can lead to some desperate moves to stay in the game as the numbers dwindle.

500m Long Lap Sprint

Riders roll from the back straight into the home straight but cannot cross Finish

Line until starting pistol is fired – after which it’s a flat out 2 lap sprint

500m Flying Lap Time Trial

Hitting the line at the perfect speed and not overcooking it in the first lap are crucial. Go out too hard and a world of pain will surely follow as the rider struggles in the closing bends

30km Points Race

120 laps in which the riders sprint every 10 laps to gain points 5, 3, 2 and 1 in that order. The rider with the most points at the finish line wins the race.