Six Days of Bremen
Event: 10-15 January 2013
Location: Bremen, Germany
British Cycling Olympic Academy Programme rider John Paul was left tied in the lead at the Six Days of Bremen after an indifferent session from Great Britain’s sprinters on the penultimate evening.
The 19-year-old saw his six point advantage disappear as German Sebastian Döhrer fought back to set up an intriguing final night at the Bremen Arena with fellow Brits Callum Skinner and Lewis Oliva remaining in fifth and sixth overall respectively.
Sunday had witnessed 2011 world junior sprint champion Paul extend his lead but no Great Britain wins across the four disciplines on Monday would alter the standings. Paul recorded GB’s highest finish in the one lap sprint time-trial, an event he has dominated, with a second placing - Skinner fourth and Oliva sixth.
Paul was then third in the major sprint final as Oliva and British sprint champion Skinner both contested the minor final, ending fourth and fifth.
The three were then defeated in the team sprint for only the second time by the German trio of Döhrer, Philip Thiele and Erik Balzer. Sixth in the keirin concluded the evening for Scotsman Paul with Oliva third and Skinner fourth.
The result left Paul and Döhrer level with the winner at the 49th edition of the event to be decided on Tuesday evening.
Sprinter standings after day five
1. John Paul GB 55
2. Sebastian Döhrer GER 55
3. Philip Thiele GER 66
4. Erik Balzer GER 72
5. Callum Skinner GB 75
6. Lewis Oliva GB 80
