Harrie Lavreysen ended the 2026 Keirin World Series with an inevitable 18th win from 19 races, but the men’s final in Kawasaki was not the simple surge to victory that we have seen in previous races.

As the riders prepared for the pacer’s exit, Kazunobu Sato 3 came underneath the orange-clad Dutch star 7, then swerved to his right, forcing Lavreysen up the track, and briefly disrupting his progress to the front. Then as Lavreysen surged up the outside, he was twice forced to move upwards as riders defended the racing line.

The world champion’s power was enough to put him in front entering the final bend. He was chased down the home straight by semi-final winner Masaya Watanabe 4, but didn’t feel the need for a throw at the line, taking the win by three-quarters of a length.

‘I think all the racers I ride against are very strong,’ Harrie said afterwards. ‘I can never underestimate them. They also made it hard for me in the final. I think a lot of riders are strong here in Japan.

‘I really enjoyed my summer in Japan, and I definitely hope to come back again.’

Lavreysen’s only loss came in Wakayama, where Joe Truman took the win, and Kota Matsuzaki snatched second. Unfortunately for Lavreysen, that was the only race in the Series at the higher GIII level – making it the most lucrative, in terms of prize money.

In the women’s final, Mathilde Gros 5 closed out her Keirin World Series with victory over Hetty van de Wouw 7, for her third win in the event’s three days.

Entering the last lap, it was the Dutch rider who began her acceleration first, prompting a response from Gros. Van de Wouw was happy to slot in behind her, as the French star led the pair up the outside. Into the final bend, Van de Wouw found herself higher up the track than she probably wanted – and she was unable to get over the top of Gros, who held on for the win.

It was only the second overall win for Gros in this year’s Series, her earlier triumph coming at Kishiwada in mid July.