The 2026 Track Cycling World Championships run from 14 to 18 October at the Shanghai Velodrome, the first edition held in mainland China. There are 22 titles on the programme, 11 each for women and men. Keirin is one of the sprint disciplines.
Six riders line up together in a keirin final. First they follow a pacing motorcycle, which gradually lifts the speed from 30 to 50 km/h. The pacer leaves with three laps remaining. Positioning and a sharp acceleration then matter as much as outright speed.
Keirin also has a thriving circuit in Japan. This year the UCI and the Japan Keirin Autorace Foundation agreed on the return of international riders to that circuit after a pandemic-era break. Three women and three men were selected, linking two competitive settings for the same discipline.