This year's Ghent Six, to be held in Belgium from November 17-22, was expected to feature beer to celebrate the return of the event after its cancellation in 2020, but the party atmosphere that usually accompanies this historic event is likely to be more subdued this year It is.

According to the latest release from the organizers, the race at the 't Kuipke' velodrome is set to be open to all spectators who have purchased tickets, but due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Belgium, some special measures have been introduced. These include requiring spectators to wear masks at all times and restricting eating and drinking at the venue to the catacombs and covered outdoor areas.

"The sports program will remain a priority and atmosphere and conviviality will remain very important, but this year it will be accompanied by a little more discipline and common sense," organizers said in a statement.

The festivities of the 80th Congress will not follow the usual pattern of continuing after the competition at the velodrome, although special rules and COVID-19 passes were in place before the latest measures were introduced. According to the organizers, the music and catering will also end as soon as the sports program is over.

Among the 12 teams on the men's start list for the six-night race on the 166-meter Ghent-Kuipke track are Madison world champions Lasse Norman Hansen and Michal Morkov, and the pair of Mark Cavendish and Iljo Keisse There are. Lotte Kopecky and Amy Peters will also compete in Saturday's Minerva Ladies Trophy, the Omnium, and Friday's points race. [Security measures were stepped up after the European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control released its COVID-19 weekly report last week, placing Belgium in the category of very high concern, along with countries such as Greece, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. Partial blockade measures were put in place in the Netherlands, and a government order was issued prohibiting spectators from entering major sporting events, including the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Luxembourg, which will be held in Luxembourg on November 18.

Belgium's consultative committee is scheduled to meet on Friday, but Het Nieuwsblad reports that those involved in organizing the event are mindful of the possibility that a meeting could be called earlier in the day, and a temporary ban on major events could be brought in.

"At that point, of course, we will have no choice but to cancel the six-day event altogether. But fortunately, we are not there yet," Sophie Bracke, Ghent's alderwoman for sports, said in a report in Het Nieuwsblad.