What is the point of the Keirin?
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.
What is the Keirin event?
The Keirin is a mass start Track Cycling event for Sprinters, created in 1948 in Japan but not included in the Olympic programme until 2000. Traditionally only six riders contest a Keirin but the number of riders can vary on the event, for example in the Japanese Keirin Series nine riders line up for each event.
Why is it called a Keirin?
Boiled down to its basics, riders follow a motorbike which gets them up to speed, then lets them race to the line. For the Japanese, the Keirin will be one of the blue ribband events at the Olympics. The Keirin originated in Japan after the war as a betting event – ‘Keirin’ literally means ‘sports betting’.
What does Keirin mean in cycling?
keirin in British English or keiren (ˈkeɪrɪn ) a cycling race originating in Japan, in which groups of cyclists follow a pacesetter and then sprint for the last part of the race.
Why is there a pace bike in keirin?
What is the derny motorbike in keirin? The aim of the derny motorbike is to build up the pace of the race and keep the riders in place behind them.
Who is pacer keirin?
The keirin is a mass start track cycling event in which groups of 6-9 sprinters compete in races 2km in distance. The first 1500 meters of the races are led by a pacer, typically a small motorcycle , that controls the speed of the first part of the race. Riders draw lots to determine starting positions.
What is the point of a derny bike?
The aim of the derny motorbike is to build up the pace of the race and keep the riders in place behind them.
What is the difference between Keirin and sprint?
The Keirin is a variant of the sprint in which a higher number (usually 6–8, or 9 in Japan) of sprinters compete in a very different format. Riders are paced in the early laps by (and are required to stay behind) a Derny motorcycle, which slowly increases the speed of the race from 25 km/h to about 50 km/h.
Why is there a durney bike?
The solitary biker who leads the procession of Olympic cyclists in the keirin event is known as the derny after the type of motorised bicycle he rides. He sits bolt upright at the back of his machine to create a slipstream for the cyclists behind him to ride in. The slipstream can make cycling 40% easier.
Why is it called a durney bike?
The Derny is so-called as it was originally produced by the French Derny firm, but the name Derny is now applied to all small cycle-pacing vehicles, regardless of manufacturer.
Do Olympic cyclists have gears?
Track cycling bikes have fixed gears, which means they are a single speed and the pedals will go around whenever the wheels are in motion. There is no coasting on a fixed gear bike! Track bikes do not have brakes and usually have a higher bottom bracket so that the pedals can’t touch the steep banked velodrome track.
Why is it called a derny bike?
Derny bikes were first made in 1938 in France by Roger Derny and Son. The company closed in 1957, but the name stuck. Dernys are bicycles powered with a 98cc engine with a fuel tank by the handlebars.
What is a stayer bike?
A stayer bike was used to ride behind a motorcycle or derny on the track. The typical small front wheel and ‘reversed’ front fork made it possible for the riders to get even closer to the motor riding in front of them. By being this close they could benefit as much as possible from the slipstream created by the motor.