DerbyWheel, a new international pro keirin race concept will officially hit the boards for its inaugural season in 2024.
Reportedly two years in the making, DerbyWheel will seek to take keirin racing to a global audience, building on its roots in Japan and Korea where it continues to be a popular spectator sport.
DerbyWheel is a professional keirin league that is looking to grow the economic model of track cycling – to support riders, venues and federations across the globe, all with the ambition of bringing pro keirin racing to the masses.
The DerbyWheel operation is based out of Seoul, where DerbyWheel Incorporated is registered. There are other team members based internationally in markets such as the USA, UK, continental Europe, Africa and Japan.
Keirin racing has a rich history, beginning in 1948 in Japan. In its homeland, keirin is raced primarily on outdoor 400m tracks and is linked with sports betting, being one of only five sports that it’s legal to bet on in the country.
From next year, DerbyWheel will seek to establish events across multiple territories utilising indoor 250m velodromes to bring more intensity to the traditional format. It will also be the first time many Japanese and Korean keirin specialists will go head to head against international riders bringing a new dynamic to the racing as east meets west on the velodrome boards.
Over 400 riders from 33 countries are currently registered to race with the league. The first DerbyWheel venues – located in the UK, Korea and Australia – are confirmed to take place in December 2023 and January 2024.
Riders who complete the induction will be eligible to race the inaugural season in 2024 and will be grouped in one of three classes – Special, Excellent or General – depending on their ability.
The team behind DerbyWheel has decades of experience of developing pro keirin in Korea and Japan, and over 20 years organising major international track cycling events. Olympic keirin silver medalist Ross Edgar is on board as DerbyWheel’s Director of Sport.
Ross Edgar said “I was immediately excited about the vision of DerbyWheel. As a former track sprinter and Keirin medallist the benefits were clear for the sport, particularly for riders.
“In professional track cycling, only a small percentage of riders reach the pinnacle of the sport and compete for Olympic medals. DerbyWheel will provide a steady platform for current and developing riders to perform and continue their careers for longer and continue doing what they love.
“It was an honour to be invited to ride the Japanese keirin. Through my career I would have spent almost a year racing there and had many memorable experiences – it was something all western riders hoped they would get invited to.
“I wish DerbyWheel had been around when I was a rider, so I’m excited to be part of the team bringing this to life for the current and future generations of track sprinters. In my opinion, keirin really is the best race on the track.”
