What is the point of the derny bike?

The aim of the derny motorbike is to build up the pace of the race and keep the riders in place behind them.

What are derny bikes?

The solitary biker who leads the procession of Olympic cyclists in the keirin event is known as the derny after the type of motorised bicycle he rides. He sits bolt upright at the back of his machine to create a slipstream for the cyclists behind him to ride in.

Why is there a pacer in indoor cycling?

From the late 19th century, people had cottoned onto the fact that it was possible to ride faster and conserve more energy while in the slipstream of another rider, so speed record attempts often employed the use of a pacer.

What gear ratios do track cyclists use?

Generally, track cyclists will use cog ranges between 12 and 16, and chain rings between 44 and 60 to achieve gear combinations for both warm ups (for example: 48 x 16 = 81″) and bigger gear efforts ranging between 94″ and 130″.

What is a Keiran race?

The keirin is a bizarre event, which originated in Japan. It is a popular sport there, and attracts major betting from punters. It is similar to the individual sprint but features six to eight riders on the track instead of two. This is the bizarre bit: the riders follow behind a small moped-type bike called a derny.

Has a pacesetter ever won a race?

There are two (in)famous cases of pacesetters continuing the race and going on to win: Paul Pilkington at the 1994 Los Angeles marathon, and Tom Byers at the 1981 Bislett Games.

Do Olympic cyclists have gears?

An Olympic-style bicycle is a fixed wheel track bicycle with no front break. Unlike road bikes, it is a fixed-gear bicycle so it has only one single gear ratio and doesn’t have a freewheel or brakes.

What kind of engine does a Derny bike have?

Modern machines are made by a small company in Neerpelt, Belgium, and dernys are either new or have the original frames with new 90 cc (5.5 cu in) engines. Dernys are usually bump-started. They can then pace riders up to 90 km/h (56 mph), although races rarely exceed 80 km/h (50 mph).

When did Roger Derny build the first Derny moped?

The first Derny ‘Entraineur’ or ‘Bordeaux–Paris’ moped, with its petrol tank mounted ahead of the handlebars, was built by Roger Derny et Fils of the Avenue de St Mandé, Paris, France, in 1938.

What is the meaning of the name derny?

According to the Larousse dictionary, the name, derny has become a generic term for a small pacing motorcycle used in cycle races, and is now applied to all small cycle-pacing vehicles, regardless of manufacturer. There have been several attempts to copy or improve the original.

How to become a derny rider in Keirin?

How to become a derny rider – one of cycling’s craziest jobs! In a keirin track races it might only be used to bring cyclists up to speed, but a motorised derny bike can play a much bigger – and exciting – role in other events as David Motton discovered. Pictures: Tom Simpson