The Six Days of Apeldoorn, Holland makes it’s debut on the UIV calendar this week, beginning December 17th to 22nd. Along with it, comes the American Team of Jackie Simes IV and Eric Barlevav riding their first professional Winter Six-Day contract. Joining them is multi Canadian National Champion, Daniele DeFranceschi, also riding his first pro Winter Six.
The three raced against each other at the Six-Days of Fiorenzuola back in July 2009 and again at the ‘09 Detroit 3-Day international, won by Simes and Barlevav. They know each other well, and will unite to form a three man team for the Apeldoorn Six. The event held at the Omnisport Arena, is one of only a few Sixes held on a 250 meter Track, similar to the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California.While many Americans may follow the Six-Day season on the World Wide Web, and some indeed travel to Europe to experience the circus that was once Americas’ premier sport, there may be more reasons to follow this particular story. Jackie Simes IV, who hails from the legendary Valley Preferred Cycling Center (formerly the Lehigh Valley Velodrome), is the first rider to have graduated from it’s Pee Wee Pedaler program to the professional Six-Day Circuit. The program for 5 – 8 year olds was founded (and is still taught) by Jimmy Alvord, and has been going for more than 25 years.
At the recent Fall Flea Market at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, an emotional Alvord smiled with watery eyes and said, “It’s amazing to see where Jackie has taken this. I remember when Jack Simes III brought him to his very first Pee Wee Pedalers class, like it was yesterday. I thought to myself…’Oh man…Jack’s watching me coach his kid!’ It’s an amazing feeling for me to see Jackie achieve this. From the Pee Wee Pedalers program in Pennsylvania, to the boards of the European Sixes. It’s very emotional.”
Other Pro Six-Day riders such as Tommy Armstrong, Marty Nothstein, Ryan Oelkers, Jamey Carney and Bobby Lea, have all come out of the Lehigh Valley, but none of them began their cycling journey as a Pee Wee Pedaler. Jackie Simes IV may be the first of many Alvord’s graduates to go all the way.
Another side to this story making its own milestone in History is the fact that this will be the first North American Team backed by an American sponsor to race a European Six in over 50 years. Cycle Loft, a premier bicycle retailer, located in Burlington, Massachusetts is supporting the team on its journey to Holland. “Along with Parlee Cycles, we sponsor both Jackie and Eric on the domestic Track scene,” said Jeff Palter, owner of Cycle Loft. “So it was a natural progression to support them in their first Winter Six. I don’t think too many American bike shops can say they have sponsored a professional Six-Day team in Europe. In-fact, we may be the first.” Simes, Barlevav and DeFranceschi will ride in a Stars and Stripes themed jersey, adorned with American Sponsors. “The lads are racing for more than a contract here,” said Palter. “There’s a little American pride here too! North American Riders, racing on American Product, and backed by an American Sponsor. Yeah…we’re excited!”The three riders leave on Tuesday December 15, 2009.
