Keirin – 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 the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Keirin in Colwood, British Columbia, July 2006
The entrance and grandstand at the Iwaki-Taira Velodrome in Iwaki, Fukushima
Start of a race at Tachikawa Velodrome in Tokyo. Riders start from the blocks and pace up to speed behind the pacer, wearing purple and orange. A referee observes the start in the tower to the right.
During a race at Omiya Velodrome in Saitama, the nine racers form a line behind the pacer as they go around a corner.
Motor-paced racing and motor-paced cycling refer to cycling behind a pacer in a car or more usually on a motorcycle. The cyclist follows as close as they can to benefit from the slipstream of their pacer. The first paced races were behind other cyclists, sometimes as many as five riders on the same tandem. Bordeaux-Paris and record attempts have been ridden behind cars. More usually races or training are behind motorcycles.
Motor-paced racing, Berlin-Weißensee, 1958
Florian Fernow (stayer) with pacer Peter Bäuerlein at the 2013 European Championships
Derny publicity material
Derny Taon 125, 1955/1956
