zesdaagse

Zesdaagse, or zesdaagse in lowercase, is a Dutch term for a six-day track cycling race held on velodromes. The competition typically spans six consecutive days and is organized around teams of two riders who share riding duties in a Madison-style format. Each pair alternates laps, while the partner rests, with the goal of completing as many laps as possible. Races often include sprints and intermediate points, generating a combined measure of distance and sprint performance. The winner is usually the team with the most laps; ties are resolved by points scored in the sprint sections or by final standings.

Origins date to the late 19th century in Europe, and the format flourished in the first half of the 20th century as a major spectator sport. Events are held on indoor velodromes, with a dense schedule of endurance shifts, sprint heats, and side entertainment, making the Zesdaagse a festival-like atmosphere for fans.

In the Netherlands and Belgium the Zesdaagse remains a traditional fixture, with notable editions such as the Six Days of Amsterdam and the Six Days of Ghent; similar events exist in other European cities. In recent years the format has seen various adaptations and sponsorship changes, with some editions integrated into international circuits or the UCI calendar, while others continue as independent, national events.