Mark Cavendish makes strong start to historic Ghent Six-Day race at iconic Belgian velodrome There is a long way to go. Six-Day racing, which has its origins in the late 19th Century at New York's ­Madison Square Garden - hence the Madison race - is famously dizzying, even without the beer. With its tight, 166-metre steeply-banked track (as opposed to the 250-metre Olympic velodromes) it places a unique demand on the ­riders, who lap at around 11 or 12 seconds, covering hundreds of laps every night. To try to explain how it all works it would be futile but essentially 13 teams of two riders compete over a series of different races - points, elimination etc - for six hours every night until Sunday, when the session takes place in the afternoon. Cavendish, who is weighing up a track return at the next Olympics, admitted on Monday that his head was spinning after his first few laps in practice. He added, though, that he was delighted his team had allowed him to take part this year. ""t Kuipke is probably the most famous arena in track cycling," he said. Gone are the days when there was a ring of smoke all around the top of the track as well but it's still iconic. Not that his team manager is all that happy about it. Pat Lefevere, who banned Cavendish from performing last year for fear of an accident involving his star rider (in 2006 a Spanish rider died after one crash), has relented on the basis that the Briton has done little racing this year following his crash at the Tour. But he still said he was "not in favour." Lefevere was also fuming about having to pay the organisers €30,000 (£24,000) to allow his two riders to wear their sponsored team kit. "Cavendish offered to pay me back but I refused," he said. He has the right, just like the others, to keep his starting money. Such disputes are typical of an event that has seen its share of controversy, doping and deal-making down the years. The event's popularity continues, though. Already a heaving throng of humanity last night, by Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night, it will take on more of a carnival atmosphere, with many fans and tourists - there is usually a sizeably British contingent - in fancy dress. They will enjoy the show, even if many of them have little clue what is going on.