Editing Keirin (section)

===Typical race===
Keirin races in Japan begin with the cyclists parading to the starting blocks, bowing as they enter the track and again as they position their bikes for the start of the race. Every participant is assigned a number and a colour for identification and betting purposes.

At the sound of the gun, the cyclists leave their starting blocks and settle into a position behind the pacer, who is another keirin bicyclist wearing purple with orange stripes. Cyclists initially settle into different groups, referred to as "lines", where they try to work together with others to maximize their chance of winning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://keirin.jp/pc/static/beginner/en/basics/line/index.html |title=Review the Lines|author=<!--Not stated--> |website=keirin.jp|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref>

As the pace quickens, the pacer will usually depart the track with between one and two laps remaining, though the actual location where the pacer leaves varies with every race. With {{frac|1|1|2}} laps remaining, officials begin sounding a [[bell (instrument)|bell]] or [[gong]], increasing in frequency until the bicyclists come around to begin the final lap.

Keirin ovals are divided into specific areas: The two straightaways (homestretch and backstretch), the four turns (corners), and two locations called the "centre", referring to the area between corners 1 and 2 (1 centre) and corners 3 and 4 (2 centre).

The race is monitored by referees. Two of the referees are stationed in towers along the backstretch (2nd and 3rd corners), while others review the homestretch area from a control room using [[closed-circuit television|closed-circuit cameras]].<ref name=keirin100717>{{cite web |url=http://keirin.jp/sp/topicsdetail?nnum=448&skbn=1&scyy=2017&scmm=07&cgcd=&nxtp=1|title=走路審判員の執務体制の変更について|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=10 July 2017|website=keirin.jp |access-date=10 August 2019|language=ja}}</ref> Once the race has finished, a referee can signal a possible rule violation by illuminating a red light at the corner nearest to where the infraction may have occurred, or by waving a red flag.<ref name=keirin100717/> Judges then examine the video of the race and decide if a competitor committed a rules violation and should be disqualified. Once the order of finish is finalised, the race is declared official and the winning bets are paid.