Keirin guy takes on politics

Tomohiro Nagatsuka (above), silver medalist in the Olympic Sprint in Athens, looks like joining the race for mayor of Ibaraki as the DPJ-backed candidate, according to a report in today's Sankei. Nagatsuka is said to be quite an economist with a great knowledge of how money markets work - so that's where he's been investing all his winnings on the keirin circuit.

A tale from 2003

Back in 2003, I made a trip back to Adelaide to see family and friends. After a night spent at the Exeter pub with a few mates I was making my way back to the train station when I spotted someone who looked familiar. I realised it was a cyclist I'd seen on TV quite a bit.
It was probably the beers that made me go up to him and say hi, but he didn't seem to mind. He talked to me about his racing - he'd recently won a world championship in the keirin event - and was telling me about his training. He even asked if I raced.
All I was expecting was a quick exchange - one of those awkward "Good on ya mate, love your work" type exchanges you have with celebs. But he was a nice guy, and he walked along with me for a good 10 minutes. Chatting like we'd known each other for years.
A couple of hours ago, the cyclist Jobie Dajka, was found dead in his house. Aged 27. News reports say he battled depression, aggression and with the bottle. But that night I met a really down-to-earth, well adjusted guy.

Keirin rider Keisuke Tejima dead at 33

Top keirin rider Keisuke Tejima has died. Tejima was ranked among the top 18 riders in the nation. Some websites are hinting that he commited suicide.
Tejima won the SS Cup Minori in 2008 and raced for Japan in Copenhagen.

Women's keirin

If you want to see some of Japan's best female track riders in Tokyo, head out to the Keio Kaku velodrome on Jan. 3.

More information here: www.girls-keirin.com

The Japan Keirin Association's 'David Brent' moment

Keirin in Japan is a male dominated sport. Why? Because women's keirin was shut down by the authorities more than 40 years ago. Now, the association has belatedly realised the error of its ways and is promoting a six-race series for women.

Now, just like the The Office's David Brent, they couldn't possibly overcome all of their sexism at once could they. So the series name? "Girl's Keirin"

Let's promote women yet belittle them at the same time. Can you imagine "Boys Keirin"?

Bad news for keirin fans

Beijing Olympic triple gold medallist Chris Hoy has pulled out of the international keirin series in Japan in October with an injury (hmmm, really an injury or a more lucrative offer?)

However, Ross Edgar will take his place and he'll be racing against Australia's Shane Kelly and, I believe, Dutchman Teun Mulder.