Japanese coming to fight for big money at Manchester
12th November 2004by British Cycling
With premier-league level salaries, a huge fan base and celebrity status usually more associated with the likes of David Beckham or Lance Armstrong, six leading Japanese Keirin riders will be bringing a touch of Japanese glamour and excitement to the World Track Cup at Manchester’s Velodrome. The six top Keirin specialists will be competing for a share in the record 45,000 pounds sterling prize money up for grabs in the special Keirin, which is being sponsored by the Japan Keirin Association (JKA) on the 9th January.
The Keirin, which I think it was Hugh Porter who said it means 'fight', enjoys enormous popularity in Japan, attracting feverish interest amongst its huge fan base and is regarded as the country’s most popular betting sport. There are 4,200 registered Keirin professionals in Japan – which is more than the entire professional road scene in Europe. With 50 tracks around the country and 12 meetings lasting 3 days at each track a year, many offering big prize money, the Keirin is easily the top earning discipline for Japanese cyclists.
The Keirin has its own TV channel so that following the rider’s form at each meeting is easy for the keen followers. But the Keirin isn’t just about having fun – it’s also is a force for good, with around 8% of the income generated from the racing going on social and environmental project across Japan. Because of the high earnings in Japan the top riders rarely leave Japan to contest international Keirin events. The JKA will be certain to select their top stars to participate in Manchester to ensure a good show against the world’s top sprinters.
Britain’s Jamie Staff, the current Keirin World Champion is expected to contest the high class Keirin on his home track at the World Cup in Manchester. Staff, who was controversially disqualified in the Olympic Keirin semi-final in Athens will no doubt welcome the opportunity to ride against the six top Japanese riders in the rainbow jersey. President of the Japan Keirin Association (JKA), Mr Kunio Ogawa comments “The Keirin race is a one of the most exciting competitive sports in the Track cycling and we are looking forward to what will be a very special event. We are all really looking forward to the racing at Manchester”.
Alan Rushton, Event Director for the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester added “We’re honoured to be asked to organise this spectacular event for the JKA and the UCI. The event could have gone to any of the World Cup venues and we’re delighted that it will be the Manchester crowd who will be able to see this unique and spectacular race.”
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Story supplied by British Cycling