Originally Posted by
chasm54
It can get pretty rough, though I think the commissaires have got a bit stricter about the physical stuff in recent years. Second, it ensures that when the riders are released they are going pretty fast, so there is no chance of it turning into a slow, tactical affir.
As for the start positions, some like to be at the front and get first run when the derny bike pulls off, others like to come from behind. The latter strategy is more popular on 333 metre tracks where the longer straight gives you more chance of overtaking after the final bend.
International Keirin is officially a non-contact sport and it's been fairly strictly enforced for quite a few years now. Head-butting will get you pulled from the race rather quickly.
As you say, starting position is personal preference and racing style. Even on 250 m tracks though, for several years the back was starting to be a preferred position-- for a few years in a row the Keirin at worlds was won by someone who was a kilo specialist taking a flyer. Bos made it famous, but I think Jamie Staff may have done it before him.