Against the odds, Japanese keirin racing

A brief snapshot of the weird and wonderful world of Japanese kerne racing.

Hack like figures in hats and jaded suits, wide-boys with bleached hair and chains and toothless old ladies also scurry around the courtyard. 

There is no arm waving or victory celebrations from riders, just heads down and back to the stables.

Rain or shine students train both in and outdoors and study all day long. In the indoor roller rooms and at rain lashed tracksides coaches with megaphones instruct the riders.