A much more physical Matthew Richardson battled his way to an overall third-place finish at this weekend’s Keirin World Series event, taking place at Ito Onsen. The world’s fastest cyclist had clearly been struggling to adapt to the combative, collaborative nature of Japanese domestic keirin, with only one win in his six rides at Kokura…

Ellesse Andrews came out on top in Sunday’s women’s final at Aomori, ahead of Hetty van de Wouw, in a reversal of last weeks’ result at Kokura. It was the second successive one-two for the foreign female stars; of course, had Mathilde Gros not been disqualified in week one, it would have been three out…

Matthew Richardson admitted he is struggling to find his feet in Japan’s more combative keirin competition, recording another last place as the second Keirin World Series event concluded. Competing in the middle of Sunday’s race programme, following his last place on Saturday, Richardson seemed to be setting up for a big attack from the back…

Matthew Richardson confronted the famously physical Japanese style of keirin racing in his semi-final at the second Keirin World Series event, taking place at Kokura – the city where keirin itself was born. Leading an attack from the rear, the British rider began making steady progress up the field in the back straight. He sat…

The second event in the summer’s Keirin World Series opened today at the impressive indoor track in Kokura: and the international stars again showed their strength, taking four wins from four rides. Ellesse Andrews was first up, in the day’s sixth race: sitting second from the back as the bell began to ring, she powered…

International guest riders took the wins in the main men’s and women’s races as the first event in Japan’s Keirin World Series drew to a close in Hofu. Ellesse Andrews won the women’s race, with Harrie Lavreysen made to fight for the win in the men’s competition. But there was disappointment for Mathilde Gros, disqualified…

After a gentle introduction to competitive Japanese keirin, the international guest riders faced much tougher challenges on day two of the Keirin World Series meeting at a wet Hofu. Ellesse Andrews rode with patience and confidence, letting Sakura Yamamoto lead out, and holding second position until the time was right. For a moment it looked…

International riders have participated in Japanese domestic keirin for the first time since 2019 – and despite the unfamiliar rules, tracks and equipment, all four claimed comfortable victories. The three-day meeting at Hofu is the first in the so-called Keirin World Series of 10 events from June to September. Mathilde Gros – who rode in…