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 3 was first up, in the day’s sixth race: sitting second from the back as the bell began to ring, she powered over the top of the field, with only one local rider able to stay with her. The margin of victory to second was one length, with third-placed Yuka Kobayashi a further 9 lengths back.

Hetty van de Wouw 6 made her Japanese debut in race seven: she moved to the front of the line with a lap remaining, and never looked back. Only Hiroko Ishii, the top ranked rider in the race, was able to stay in touch, but she never threatened to pass.

Race 10 saw the return of Joe Truman 4, who had competed in the first event of the Series in Hofu. He picked his way through the bunch, looking entirely at home in the Japanese racing environment, to claim the front with a lap and a half left. Spotting an attack from the back, he drove hard out of corner four to defend his lead, and held on to the finish.

Then it was time for the world’s fastest man, Matthew Richardson 5 to enter the fray. Entering the final lap, the British rider seemed in danger of being trapped on the inside: but he emerged from the line into the first corner, then powered straight past the bunch up the back straight – and even seemed to find an extra gear in the final 200m, to claim a win by four lengths.

Interviews

Ellesse Andrews:

It was a great race, I was really happy with it. I’m really happy to take the win, but there were some really strong riders in the race as well, so it was very hard, but I’m very happy. Tomorrow, I plan on taking a similar approach. This is still very new, I’m learning a lot, but I’m really happy with how I’ve been going, so tomorrow I just want to be able to see who’s in my race, and then assess what the best move is to make from there.

Hetty van de Wouw:

I feel very good. It’s very nice to finally have done my first Japanese keirin race. I’m a bit tired now, but that’s a good thing I guess. Tomorrow, I will hope to do the same. These girls are very strong. I need to see the field, which girls I’m racing against, and I hope to win again.

Joe Truman:

I didn’t have a set plan. I was waiting to see how the race unfolded. I was confident I could win in different scenarios. (The rest was in Japanese! 👏)

Matthew Richardson:

I’m very tired. And very happy as well. It was my very first keirin race ever, so I’m very very happy to get the win. If that race is anything to go by, I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. The legs feel very good, I feel very strong, and I’m ready to do the same tomorrow.