The "Japan Institute of KEIRIN" located in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is the only place in Japan to nurture candidates aiming to become Keirin cyclists.The hopefuls supporting the future of Keirin, a public sport in Japan, overcome 10 months of training school life and set off to the 43 Keirin tracks nationwide.I wonder what kind of life the candidates living in the training center are leading.Let's take a peek at part of it.

All Keirin cyclists have national qualifications. After enduring rigorous training, finally made it to the starting line.

Japan Institute of KEIRIN, where the candidates live, is located at a high position overlooking the seasons, beyond a hilly mountain path surrounded by greenery.Near the training center, there is the “Izu Velodrome”, an indoor cycling track used in international competitions, and you can often see national team athletes selected from the local residents training in the mountains from early morning.Currently, there are over 2300 professional Keirin cyclists.There have been cases where professional athletes from other sports such as Baseball and Soccer have switched to keirin, to the extent that it’s said to have the highest number of such cases among domestic professional sports.One of the reasons is the broadness of the conditions to become a professional bicycle racer.

“Anyone over the age of 17 living in Japan (*1) can pursue it, regardless of gender or educational background.”

(*1) The training center allows examinations up to five times and within eight years from the first attempt.The admission exams include a ‘skill test’ where they ride a bicycle to time their performance, an ‘aptitude test’ to assess their physical abilities, and a ‘special selection test’ for those who have already participated in international level competitions in cycling or other sports.

This time, the guide was Ms. Yamakawa, a staff member of the “JKA”, a public interest incorporated foundation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which manages this training institute.It seems that the ages of the candidates entering the training center vary, as there is no upper age limit.Continuing on, Ms. Yamakawa also taught us about the qualifications necessary to become a Keirin cyclist.

“Candidates who have completed their training institute life take the national examination ‘Keirin Cyclist Qualification Test’ to become a Keirin cyclist. Once you pass the national qualification, you can finally become a professional.”

Keirin is a publicly operated sport.That athlete also becomes a public figure possessing qualifications recognized by the country.By the way, according to the rules, it is possible to take the bicycle racing player qualification test immediately without entering  Japan Institute of KEIRIN.However, from Ms. Yamakawa’s words, “No one like that in the past, though.”  can discern just how unique the knowledge and skills needed to become a professional bicycle cyclists are. The training period at the training institute is from May to March of the following year, a total of 10 months (*2).Currently, about 70 male students from the 127th class, 20 female students from the 128th class, live together in the training institute, making up a total of approximately 90 people.It seems that the acceptance rate is 4 to 5 times more competitive for boys, and 2 to 3 times more competitive for girls.Immediately, it was arranged for the candidates to be shown around the training center where they usually live.First, we head to the bank, which is the training location for the candidates, where mock races and time measurements are conducted.

(*2) The basic schedule is to enter in May and graduate in March, and candidates who achieve excellent results are eligible for ‘early graduation’, which is three months earlier than usual.

“There are three types of banks in the training center: 250m, 333m, and 400m. The 250m size is not for keirin races, but is used in international bicycle competitions.”

400m Bank.In Keirin, the track is referred to as “Bank”, and the angle is called “Cant”.The bank angle of the corner section of the cycling track is between 25 and 35 degrees.At first glance, the straight section that appears flat is also tilted 2 to 4 degrees inward.

There were female trainees seen training on the 333m track.It seems that the bicycle track is lent out to the neighboring high school cycling teams who have completed their usage registration, but only during times such as early morning when the candidates do not use it.

What we saw that day were banks of 333m and 400m set up outdoors.In Keirin, each race is set with a running distance of 1500 to 3000 meters, and participants compete for their finishing order within the set distance.By the way, the training center is so vast that you need to use a car to move between the two banks.Next, the candidate heads to the storage shed where bicycles and such are kept.

Each candidate is to prepare two bicycles each, in accordance with the set regulations, before admission.One is a piste racer for running on the bank (no brakes & gears).The other one is a road racer (with brakes & transmission gears) prepared to run on a circuit near the training center.

The candidate’s cycling shoes.There are a variety of colors and designs.

“Currently, the entire training facility is undergoing renovation, so everything is stored in one place, but normally, there are separate storage areas for males and females.Women’s bicycle frames are stipulated to be made of carbon, and compared to the standard for men which are iron frames, they tend to be more expensive.There are cases where you might rent or be given a vehicle from a mentor or senior members of the cycling competition because it costs money to purchase a vehicle.The hats worn by the candidates come in five colors (gold, white, black, red, blue), and are designed to indicate the performance at the record meeting held during their tenure (*3).Additionally, there is also a scholarship system based on academic performance (*4).

(*3) A timing measurement event is held three times a year at the training center to gauge one’s own abilities.Four events are conducted: 200m, 400m, 1000m, and 3000m (for women: 200m, 400m, 500m, and 2000m), with five-tier benchmark times set for each event.In all events, including short and long distances, if you clear the best standard time, you can win a gold hat, commonly known as the “Golden Cap”.

(※4) The acquisition of a gold hat is 200,000 yen per time, and the acquisition of a white hat is 100,000 yen.By the way, if both speed and stamina are judged to be inferior, it becomes a blue hat and the total amount paid is halved.

Using the reward system as an example, Ms. Yamakawa says that there are various changes in the rules of the training center over time to keep the motivation of the candidates.

“Before the pandemic, men and women were able to go out every other Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, but last year, they could only go out during the summer Obon period, and this year, they could only go out twice in summer and winter.In order to respond to the social environment and respect individuals, the current training center allows the use of smartphones for only one hour on Sundays. In the field where we study sports medicine, bicycle theory, maintenance, and laws related to cycle racing, the fact that subjects related to how to handle social networking services have been set up is indeed a change unique to modern times.”

Some people might feel that a smartphone ban is too strict, but there is a reason for that.In bicycle racing, which is a subject of betting, carrying communication devices is prohibited during the competition to ensure fairness and prevent information leakage.The training institution also adheres to this, emphasizing the importance of following rules and fostering the awareness of becoming a professional athlete. Therefore, the use of smartphones on weekdays is generally prohibited.Could I endure life without a smartphone for 10 months… While such thoughts floated in my mind, next, I headed to the indoor gym with Ms. Yamakawa.

The main activities in the gym are weightlifting and bodyweight exercises.The sight of candidates diligently training on this day as well.

“Women also do core training such as Pilates using mat.Additionally, you will see a unique training method of the Keirin  training school, where they practice how to fall by holding the handlebars on the mat.”

The training hours for the candidates are from Monday to Saturday until mid-morning.However, for those who aspire to be professionals, the time given to them is limited.It seems that they are voluntarily doing training even on their days off.

“Of course, breaks are necessary. It seems like they are enjoying watching the DVDs they brought individually, using the TVs installed in each room.”

Although I couldn’t be present during the interview due to timing issues, when it comes to cycling, this roller practice comes to mind.Riding a bicycle on rollers requires core strength, and in fact, it’s incredibly difficult just to get on…

The view of the twilight seen from the grounds of the training center.The view is good, and depending on the weather during the day, you can also see Mt. Fuji.

“Well then, shall we go to the dormitory and hear from the candidates?”

The person who responded to the interview is Kiaki Miura, a candidate who is living in a training center with the aim of becoming a professional bicycle racing athlete.In the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Kazuhei Kimura, who is visually impaired and belongs to Rakuten Socio Business, is also participating in the tandem cycling track event as a pilot.

The interview with candidate Miura can be found in this article.

After the interview, I accompanied candidate Miura to the cafeteria he was heading to.

Candidates eat their meals within the designated time frame on their own.The men’s menu at the time of the interview included sweet and spicy grilled pork, salted Spanish mackerel fry, as well as salads and fruits.Three meals, carefully planned for calorie and nutritional balance by a nutritionist according to the training content, are provided.

Since the training is intense, it’s basic to keep breakfast and lunch light.It seems that there are relatively more noodle dishes on the menu during the day, as they are easy to digest and quickly convert into energy.In return, make sure to rest well at night.Candidates aiming for an increase in volume devour heaps of rice!

After graduating from the training school, the candidates become professional players registered in the A-class 3rd group (the women are in the L-class 1st group) category (*5), but their status is strictly freelance.There is no wage to be compensated for, and your entire livelihood depends on your own abilities.

(*5) The categories increase in the order of A3, A2, A1, S2, S1, SS.According to data from the 2023 fiscal year, the average prize money earned in Class A Group 3, which is registered after graduation, is about 9.19 million yen per year.It’s also possible to further increase your income depending on your efforts.

And the stronger the athlete, the more they start participating in races held everywhere from Hakodate in the north to Kumamoto in the south.Surprisingly, there might be a bicycle racing track right near the town you live in.The collision of athletes, armed with their well-trained physical prowess and strategy, is guaranteed to be thrilling.It’s fine to support promising young talents, and it’s also fine to be intoxicated by the techniques of veterans.Supporting local athletes and enjoying Girls Keirin, these are also fun ways to enjoy.

It is well known that betting accompanies keirin racing.However, I would like you to know that there is also an aspect where the earnings from the cycling track are being returned to society.The improvement of local government finances, the Machinery Reconstruction Assistance Project (a project that assists in the reconstruction of environmental issues and energy-saving fields, and traffic measures), and the Public Welfare Project Reconstruction Assistance Project (a project that promotes sports, supports welfare for children and the elderly, and inherits traditional culture) all contribute to the overall excitement of bicycle racing. This leads to the improvement of the social environment and further development in the sports field.While keeping that in mind, I definitely want you to experience the moment when the excitement at the cycling track rises in person.

PHOTO: Teppei Hori
TEXT: Keisuke Honda
EDIT: Shiori Saeki (IN FOCUS)