Sexdagars

Sexdagars is a Swedish term that literally translates to six days and is used to describe endurance events that extend over a six-day period. In Swedish sporting contexts, the term is most closely associated with six-day races in track cycling, where the competition is organized as a continuous event spanning six days on a velodrome.

Format and structure often feature teams, typically consisting of two riders, who rotate riding duties to cover the distance. The program includes a mix of endurance races, sprints, and pursuit-style events conducted across each day, sometimes including night sessions. Teams accumulate distance and/or points throughout the six days, and the overall classification is determined by total distance or point totals. Rest periods and strategic rider changes are part of the competition, which emphasizes endurance, teamwork, and sustained racing rather than a single finale.

History and context show that the six-day race format originated in Europe in the late 19th century and gained substantial popularity during the 20th century. While the classic six-day events have become less common in many places today, the concept remains a part of cycling history in Sweden and other countries, with some venues preserving or reviving six-day formats as exhibitions or spectator events. The term sexdagars may also appear in discussions of analogous endurance events lasting six days in other sports, though cycling remains the primary association.

Summary: Sexdagars denotes a traditional six-day endurance race format centered on track cycling, highlighting teamwork, durability, and continuous competition on a velodrome, with a legacy that persists in historical references and occasional contemporary revivals.