Jackie Simes heads to Ghent Six-day with Cycle Loft support

The Cycle Loft in Burlington, Massachusetts, along with some of the industry’s top component manufacturers, has decided to put some sponsorship behind one of the country’s future track stars.

Twenty year old Jackie Simes IV, whose home track is the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown Pennsylvania, is a fourth generation American pro rider whose father, grandfather, great grandfather and cousin were all pro cyclists. Simes is making his annual pilgrimage to the European Six Day Track Racing Circuit with a start at the Ghent Six on November 18, 2008.

Kurt Begemann (The Cycle Loft’s new in-store coach) met Jackie while working at the USA Cycling’s Track Training Center in T-Town this summer, and feels that Simes has the talent and mental toughness to really make a go of it on the European Six-Day Circuit.

“While I don’t coach Jackie, I have been working hard to promote him, as I really believe he has a magnificent future ahead of him. He comes from a rich cycling pedigree and he has a good head on his shoulders. He understands the value of sponsorship and support and is a real talent that sponsors can be proud of.” said Begemann.

Simes is riding on some of the industry’s latest products such as Parlee’s beautiful Z1 Track frame, Reynolds’ DV46 Track Wheels, and Shimano’s new PRO components for Handle Bar and Stem. Jackie will be putting the products to test at a couple of events before the Ghent Six, when he competes at the Memorial Noel Forre on November 11, 2008, also in Ghent, Belgium.

“I’m riding steep wooden tracks which translates to big G forces in the turns. The new equipment is wonderful, very light and strong, the best,” said Simes from his Gent residence.

This will be Jackie’s third appearance at the U23 Ghent Six, and he’s looking to improve on his 2007 result, where he won the final night.

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