A chill November evening in Ghent. The wooden boards of 't Kuipke velodrome have witnessed this scene for over a century - since 1922, when winter heralded in Belgium's first six-day race. The steep banking, the large crowds, the lingering smell of beer and frites. Some things never change. On these steep banks, custom cycling jerseys face their toughest test - six nights where cycling clothing must perform perfectly.
This year's edition showed why the Gent Six remains track cycling's most treasured event. Olympic Gold Medallist (Omnium) Benjamin Thomas and Olympic Bronze Medallist (Omnium) Fabio Van Den Bossche secured their places in its long history with a perfectly timed final attack. Their custom Verge cycle jerseys, tested through countless hours, played their part in a victory that demanded both tactical brilliance and raw speed.
The win didn't come easily. Lindsay De Vylder and Robbe Ghys led from the opening night, controlling the race on the 166-meter track. But six-day racing rewards patience. Thomas and Van Den Bossche waited, watched, and struck when their moment came.
"We were the hunters," Thomas said. "We knew we had one bullet left. We had to use it at the right moment."
That moment came in the final Madison. As Jules Hesters launched forward, Thomas and Van Den Bossche held back. They let the leaders chase. Then, as Hesters faded, they made their move. One lap gained. Victory secured.
Van Den Bossche's first home win showcased why track cycling demands specialized cycling kit. Six-day racing runs hot and late. Unlike road cycling clothing, track jerseys need quick changes between efforts. Verge Sport's custom cycling jerseys feature full-length zips - rare in track racing but essential for these events. This detail helped keep Thomas and Van Den Bossche focused when it mattered most.
The Ghent Six connects cycling's past and future. Modern cycling apparel meets century-old tradition. In the arena where Eddy Merckx and Mark Cavendish once raced, new champions emerge in cycling kit refined through decades of track racing knowledge.
