What is a keirin in cycling?

Keirin, in which riders are paced around a track by a motorised derny for three laps to 50kmh before a sprint to the finish after three more laps at speeds of 70kmh, is part of the fabric of Japanese society — an estimated 362.6 billion yen ($3.29 billion) gambling industry.

What does the name keirin mean?

2 people from India agree the name Keirin is of Irish origin and means “Colour”.

What is the point of keirin?

The keirin is a bizarre event, which originated in Japan. This derny paces the riders for the first few laps of the eight-lap race. It steadily increases speed before pulling off into the centre of the arena with two-and-a-half laps to go, leaving the riders to sprint to the finish.

What is the name of the track used in track cycling?

velodromes
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights.

When was the first keirin race held in Japan?

Keirin (競輪 / ケイリン, [keːɾiɴ]) – literally “racing cycle” – is a form of motor-paced cycle racing in which track cyclists sprint for victory following a speed-controlled start behind a motorized or non-motorized pacer. It was developed in Japan around 1948 for gambling purposes and became an official event at…

What does keirin stand for in Cycling category?

Jump to navigation Jump to search. Keirin (競輪 / ケイリン, [keːɾiɴ]) – literally “competition ring” – is a form of motor-paced cycle racing in which track cyclists sprint for victory following a speed-controlled start behind a motorized or non-motorized pacer.

How to become a professional keirin rider in Japan?

Aspiring professional keirin riders in Japan compete for entrance into the Japan Keirin School. The 10 percent of applicants who are accepted then undergo a strict 15-hours-per-day training regimen. Those who pass the graduation exams, and are approved by the NJS become eligible for professional keirin races in Japan.

What are the grades for the Keirin in Japan?

A race meeting at any given keirin velodrome in Japan is assigned a grade. The highest graded events are GP, GI (G1), GII (G2) and GIII (G3), reserved only for S-class riders. Underneath those are FI (F1) events, which are open to both S-class and A-class riders. The lowest graded events, FII (F2), are reserved for A-class riders.