Keirin

High school (ages 12+)
Sports & Games

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/keirin

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the sport discipline?Motor-paced track cycling
2. What is the country of origin?Japan
3. What is Keirin and how does it start?Keirin is a fast bike race that starts with a motorcycle called a derny that leads the riders. The derny sets a steady speed and then leaves the track, letting the cyclists sprint to the finish.
4. Why do Keirin riders use bikes without brakes?Keirin bikes have no brakes so riders must control their speed by pedaling harder or easing off. This makes the race more challenging and requires great bike control.

Keirin: A motor-paced track cycling race originating in Japan, known for its strategic pacing and high-speed sprints.
Derny: A small-engine motorcycle or electric bicycle used as a pacer in Keirin and other motor-paced cycling events.
Fixed-gear bicycle: A bicycle with a drivetrain that lacks a freewheel mechanism, meaning the pedals are always in motion when the rear wheel is turning.
Drafting (Slipstreaming): The aerodynamic technique of riding in the disturbed air behind another moving object to reduce drag and conserve energy.