Jeong Jong-jin retained the title of King Of Kings in Korean keirin, with a huge late drive to catch his arch rival Im Chae-bin in the last lap of Sunday’s final at Gwanymyeong Speedom.

The two men have dominated Korean keirin for a number of years, with the biggest races invariably coming down to a head-to-head between the pair. But Jeong Jong-jiin has had the upper hand this year, and went into the weekend’s event on a three-race winning streak against his younger rival.

Jeong Jong-jiin 7 sat directly behind Im Chae-bin 3 as the pacer exited; but he got squeezed towards the back as the race got properly underway.

Entering the final lap, Im Chae-bin glanced repeatedly over his shoulder, but his view of Jeong Jong-jin was obscured by two other riders. He decided to take matters into his own hands, and claimed the front of the race with half a lap to go.

Jeong Jong-jin came out of the second corner in last place, but with a huge kick in the back straight, he flew past the rest of the field, and was suddenly on Im Chae-bin’s shoulder. A gentle head-butt let his rival know he had arrived.

Im Chae-bin swung out of the sprinter’s lane as they entered the home straight, pushing Jeong Jong-jin up the track – perhaps a disruption tactic, perhaps he was just running out of gas. But the rider in pink had all the momentum: and Im Chae-bin’s legs finally gave in, allowing his rival and two others to pass.