This beautiful film was shot by Jonathan de Villiers, a fashion and portrait photographer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Wallpaper* and other places.
It gives a real insight into the life of a keirin racer in Japan, and the difference between the international sport and the Japanese version, which is one of the only state-sanctioned betting activities and therefore less about ‘pure’ atheleticism.
It looks like Villiers got some great access behind the scenes at races (which is very unusual, as they are very tightly controlled due to the amounts of money being bet) and at the state keirin school, where all prospective riders must go for a year’s training.
Can’t embed this one for now, so take a trip on over to Nowness to watch.
