The Keirin: Controlled Chaos at 40+ MPH

 

In the world of track cycling, no race flips the switch from strategy to pure chaos quite like the Keirin.

Originally created in Japan in the 1940s for parimutuel betting, the Keirin has since become one of the most intense, and beloved, events in international track racing.

How It Works

  • 6 to 7 riders line up behind a motorized pacer, known as a derny.

  • Over the first 2.5 laps, the derny gradually increases speed, from around 30 to 50 km/h (18–31 mph).

  • Riders cannot pass the derny during this phase, they’re just jockeying for position.

  • With 2.5 laps to go, the derny pulls off the track...and the real race begins.

  • The first rider to cross the line at the end wins.

Why It’s Strategic

The early laps are all about positioning. Riders fight for the best wheel, usually second or third position, to launch their sprint from. Get caught in the back or boxed in on the rail, and your chances plummet.

The trick is knowing when to go. Launch too early and burn out. Wait too long, and you’ll never get around the pack.

Why It’s Wild

Once that derny leaves, it’s mayhem. Riders are sprinting full gas at 40+ mph. You’ll see elbows out, shoulders rubbing, and fearless moves as sprinters thread the needle.

The Keirin is short, savage, and absolutely electric to watch.

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