Gallery: Inside the Wild World of Keirin, Japan's Brake-Free Bicycle Racing
Jasper Clarke01Racers bow toward the spectators stands and judging booth before a race.
Racers bow toward the spectators stands and judging booth before a race.
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A trainer makes notes on the performance of male students during a power training session. He shouts commands at intervals to instruct the students to increase or decrease speed.
Jasper Clarke03A participant watches a race before his heat.
A participant watches a race before his heat.
Jasper Clarke04Racers line up and bow to the track before walking on to it.
Racers line up and bow to the track before the beginning of a race.
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Roller training is when cyclists ride unsupported bikes on rollers, balancing to stay upright while pedaling.
Jasper Clarke06An academy student makes adjustments to his bike.
An academy student makes adjustments to his bike.
Jasper Clarke07Power training on rollers.
Power training on rollers.
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A female Keirin racer post roller work out. Keirin racing for women was reintroduced in July 2012.
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A student drips sweat while performing intense roller intervals for more than an hour.
Jasper Clarke10The female section of interval training.
The female section of interval training.
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Students perform routine maintenance on their bikes to make sure they are in top condition.
Jasper Clarke12Racers round the first turn.
Racers round the first turn.
