![Niland, Conor SPORT Conor Niland: The Racket [2024] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/niland-conor-conor-niland-the-racket-2024-paperback-58820653515091_{width}x.jpg?v=1727562371)
![Sexton, Johnny PREORDER NONFICTION New Johnny Sexton: Obsessed: The Autobiography [2024] hardback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/sexton-johnny-johnny-sexton-obsessed-the-autobiography-2024-hardback-9781844885206-57825731739987_{width}x.jpg?v=1739810551)
![O'sullivan, Ronnie BARGAIN SPORT Ronnie O'Sullivan: Unbreakable [2023] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/o-sullivan-ronnie-ronnie-o-sullivan-unbreakable-2023-paperback-59726166557011_{width}x.jpg?v=1737900246)
![Roddy, Collins With Paul Howard & Howard, Paul SPORT Roddy Collins: The Rodfather: Inside the Beautiful (Ugly, Ridiculous, Hilarious) Game [2022] hardback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/roddy-collins-with-paul-howard-howard-paul-roddy-collins-the-rodfather-inside-the-beautiful-ugly-ridiculous-hilarious-game-2022-hardback-58640959144275_{width}x.jpg?v=1729716346)
![Bean, Anita SPORT New Anita Bean: The Complete Guide to Strength Training 5th edition [2015] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/bean-anita-anita-bean-the-complete-guide-to-strength-training-5th-edition-2015-paperback-9781472910653-60409501319507_{width}x.jpg?v=1734149820)
The strange and thrilling world of Japanese track racing - a cycling and betting culture unlike anything else on earth
The Olympic cycling sport of keirin was invented in Japan more than 70 years ago to raise money to rebuild the country after World War II. Now, fans bet billions of dollars a year on races, with the top riders earning huge sums.
In each race, a pacemaker leads nine riders around huge concrete velodromes, then leaves the track with around a lap and a half to go - the cue for a frantic finish as the competitors reach speeds of up to 70 kph. Along the way they block and shove each other, clash heads and occasionally crash (the two Japanese characters used to write keirin mean 'battle' and 'wheel'). To prevent race fixing, the cyclists spend meets living in dorms, with no access to online technology. Their lives are ruled by ritual and fierce competition, from their rookie days at the Japan Keirin School near Mount Fuji to the annual Grand Prix final, whose winner takes home prize money of almost one million dollars.
A small number of foreign riders are invited to compete in Japan every year and some, like Shane Perkins, have overcome culture shock to prosper in the home of keirin.
Justin McCurry, the Guardian's Japan and Korea correspondent, explores a blue-collar Japan we rarely see and a uniquely fascinating sporting culture.
- Publisher Name:Profile Books Ltd
- Product Format:Paperback
- ISBN: XV81788160865
- Author:Mccurry, Justin
- Publication Date:2022-05-26
If you are not satisfied with your order in any way, get in touch. We have an excellent customer service record and we will do our best to ensure you are pleased with your purchase.
We are happy to refund a product if it is defective, within 30 days of purchase upon the return of your product. If you return a product to us and request a refund due to an error on our part we will be happy to pay for the postage cost to return it to us.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused & unread, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
Please note, if you are requesting a refund based on an issue with condition we kindly ask you to provide a photo in order for us to best advise a suitable resolution.
To start a return, you can contact us at shop@chaptersbookstore.com. If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
You can always contact us for any return question at shop@chaptersbookstore.com.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Exceptions / non-returnable items
Certain types of items cannot be returned, like custom products or special orders. Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.
Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.
Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.
Free Delivery in the Republic Of Ireland on all orders over €30. Standard Delivery Charge in Republic of Ireland of €5 for all orders below €30.
Delivery is subject to warehouse availability. Out-of-stock items will be shipped as soon as possible, upon arrival from the manufacturer/publisher. Please take shipping time into consideration.
