# Foreign stars face tougher tests in wet conditions on day two of Keirin World Series

*By Simon | June 4, 2026*

---

![Screenshot](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/truman-jp.jpg)

## 󠀁[Foreign stars face tougher tests in wet conditions on day two of Keirin World Series](https://globalkeirin.com/2026/06/foreign-stars-face-tougher-tests-in-wet-conditions-on-day-two-of-keirin-world-series/)󠁿

4 June 2026

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](https://globalkeirin.com/rider/ellesse-andrews/) 5 rode with
patience and confidence, letting Sakura Yamamoto 3 lead out, and holding second
position until the time was right. For a moment it looked like she might get
sandwiched; but she moved above the leader as she faded on the inside, opening
up a path to the front – and a second win for the Olympic champion.

[https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-06-01-00.mp4](https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-06-01-00.mp4)

[Mathilde Gros](https://globalkeirin.com/rider/mathilde-gros/) 3 also rode a
patient race, attacking from the back as they entered the final lap. She took
the high line over the top of the entire field, and rolled in for the win, half
a length ahead of Uta Kume 7.

[https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-07-01-00.mp4](https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-07-01-00.mp4)

We predicted that [Joe Truman](https://globalkeirin.com/rider/joseph-truman/) 3
had the hardest draw; and so it proved. He claimed the front with just over a
lap remaining, with veteran star Nitta Yudai 2 taking his wheel. Yudai made his
move out of the final bend, passing the British rider as they entered the home
straight.

Truman had just enough left for a throw at the line, but it wasn’t enough to
take second spot from Hiroya Kado 4. It means he misses out on the S-Class final
on the last day of the Hofu programme.

[https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-09-01-00.mp4](https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-09-01-00.mp4)

[Harrie Lavreysen](https://globalkeirin.com/rider/harrie-lavreysen/) 5 took the
front just as the bell began to ring, opening up a healthy gap. For a moment it
seemed like Masahiro Abe 1 might get alongside; but the Dutch superstar had
plenty left, winning by two lengths.

[https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-10-01-00.mp4](https://wm.st.keirin.jp/wm-keirin63/20260604-63-02-10-01-00.mp4)

On Friday, the final day of the meeting, Truman is first up, in race 8 (14:31 🇯🇵
/ 06:31 🇬🇧). Andrews and Gros will line up together in the women’s final at
15:32 🇯🇵 (07:32 🇬🇧). Lavreysen is in the S-Class final half an hour later (16:03
🇯🇵 / 08:03 🇬🇧). You can watch it
[live on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZSoGY9MTvM).

**Categories:** Original
**Tags:** japan, keirinworldseries