Keirin

Keirin (ケイリン^?)

Keirin in Colwood, British Columbia, July 2006.
Highest governing body	Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and JKA Foundation (Japanese Regulating Body)
Year Originated	1948 in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
Characteristics
Type	Track cycling
Presence
Olympic	2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016

Keirin (競輪 / ケイリン^?, [keiɽiɴ]) "racing wheels" 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.

Races are about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long: 8 laps on a 250 m (270 yd) track, 6 laps on a 333 m (364 yd) track, 5 laps on a 400 m (440 yd) track. Lots are drawn to determine starting positions for the sprint riders behind the pacer, which is usually a motorcycle, but can be a derny, electric bicycle or tandem bicycle. Riders must remain behind the pacer for a predetermined number of laps. Initially it makes circuits at about 25 km/h (16 mph), gradually increasing to about 50 km/h (31 mph). The pacer usually leaves the track approximately 600–700 m (660–770 yd) before the end. The winner's finishing speed is around 70 km/h (43 mph).

Competition keirin races are often conducted over several rounds with one final. Sometimes eliminated cyclists get the opportunity to try again in the repechages.

Keirin has been a UCI men's World Championship event since 1980 and a UCI women's World Championship event since 2002. Danny Clark of Australia and Li Na of China were the first UCI world champions. The 2013 men's and women's world champions are Jason Kenny and Becky James of the United Kingdom.