Japanese Keirin

[Cab]

I was curious to see some of the 'real thing' as it were, so I've been you-tubing footage of Japanese Keirin. My word, it doesn't disappoint!

View: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=frxfRdcPjVw&


Can't say as I'd fancy it, but what a spectacle!

 

[andrew_s]

So did the bloke in pink get disqualified for headbutting the bloke in white and setting off the whole thing?

 

[rich p]

Great stuff. No prisoners taken there. Jamie Staff was talking about how he missed the bumping, physical side now that it had been cleaned up by the UCI. Clearly run under a different jurisdiction in Japan by the Union of Kamikaze Cyclists!
I seem to recall reading that in Japan it's essentially done for betting rather than a real interest in the sport.

 

[Aperitif]

Wow - A peloton of 'Noodleys'!
Yep. The guy in pink is a good spot Andrew -and the fall off doesn't look as 'slidey' as it does on the velodrome - ouch!

 

[Landslide]

-and the fall off doesn't look as 'slidey' as it does on the velodrome - ouch!

IIRC...
Due to Keirin being such a massive commercial enterprise (all the betting), the organisers didn't fancy outdoor tracks having events cancelled due to rain.

Therefore, they hit upon the idea of surfacing the tracks in a "non-slip" coating - I'm led to believe it's akin to sandpaper!!!

 

[Cab]

So did the bloke in pink get disqualified for headbutting the bloke in white and setting off the whole thing?

Have a look at some of the other Japanese keirin races on youtube. Headbutting seems perfectly normal!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Keirin is a really wierd thing. The especially strange thing about it is that tactics have to be declared in advance and stuck to, so that punters can make a decision about whether to back the guy who always goes from the front, or the late charger etc... It is well worth a look if you are in Japan. But don't expect salubrious surroundings. It's a lot like going down the dogs in Britain...

 

[fossyant]

Ohhh... no sliding there.......... ouch !