Round 2 of the Keirin introduces the 50 pre-qualifiers alongside our 10 winners from Round 1.
The 8 highest sprint stats in the field are guaranteed not to face each other across these 10 heats of Round 2, but otherwise it's a random draw, only keeping those of the same nationalities apart.
So onto the action. Top 3 in each heat will qualify.
Heat 1
FRA
Coquard
Bryan
POR
Avelino
Oscar
NED
Van Poppel
Danny
ALB
Kamberaj
Xhuliano
AUS
Howard
Leigh
ITA
Guarnieri
Jacopo
Avelino is not known for his acceleration so he decided to be the one to make an early attack
Howard puts in a strong chase. Kamberaj looks to move forwards but doesn't seem able
But suddenly Howard pops!
Coquard and Van Poppel move forwards, and it's into the lead as Avelino is caught.
Van Poppel tries to take the win but Coquard holds him off.
And Kamberaj is through in 3rd, after Guarnieri never really made an impression.
1
Bryan Coquard
France
5'43
2
Danny Van Poppel
Netherlands
s.t.
3
Xhuliano Kamberaj
Albania
s.t.
4
Jacopo Guarnieri
Italy
s.t.
5
Leigh Howard
Australia
s.t.
6
Oscar Avelino
Portugal
s.t.
Heat 2
ITA
Lo Cicero
Ivano
GER
Selig
RĂ¼diger
CHN
Liu
Jiankun
RUS
Samolenkov
Artem
NED
Groenewegen
Dylan
JPN
Itami
Kenji
Lo Cicero and Groenewegen are the favourites here, while Itami carries the hopes for Japan.
Selig won in Round 1 to get here, but decides to go long here.
Groenewegen is a bit nervy and decides to lead the chase with Itami.
Liu follows too, but Lo Cicero and Samolenkov are sitting back.
Groenewegen goes again!
Selig is caught but fights on, while Itami might be done
Liu pushes through. A win for China?
With all the speed from the back though, Samolenkov flies through to take it
Groenewegen does hold on to qualify in 3rd place.
Once again though a more Italian showing, Lo Cicero never in contention.
1
Artem Samolenkov
Russia
5'40
2
Jiankun Liu
China
s.t.
3
Dylan Groenewegen
Netherlands
s.t.
4
RĂ¼diger Selig
Germany
s.t.
5
Kenji Itami
Japan
s.t.
6
Ivano Lo Cicero
Italy
s.t.
Heat 3
SWD
Ahlstrand
Jonas
CZE
Vesely
Daniel
GBR
Kennaugh
Peter
BEL
Van Asbroeck
Tom
ESP
Aberasturi
Jon
GER
Reinhardt
Theo
Ahlstrand is our top name in Heat 3, and we have both Aberasturi and Reinhardt as Round 1 winners.
And we're getting a very different race here. No early attacks and into the back straight all is calm. Vesely, Kennaugh and Reinhardt
This can just be one effort then, and now they go. Vesely opens it up.
Ahlstrand holding 4th for now.
But moving through! Is there space for Van Asbroeck too? It's only Aberasturi who has been left well behind.
Call this one then! Vesely, Kennaugh and Reinhardt all line astern.
Now Van Asbroeck too..
Ahlstrand wins! Van Asbroeck 2nd, and Kennaugh is credited with 3rd place.
1
Jonas Ahlstrand
Sweden
5'51
2
Tom Van Asbroeck
Belgium
s.t.
3
Peter Kennaugh
Great Britain
s.t.
4
Daniel Vesely
Czech Republic
s.t.
5
Theo Reinhardt
Germany
s.t.
6
Jon Aberasturi
Spain
s.t.
Heat 4
GER
Degenkolb
John
GBR
Swift
Ben
KEN
Kemboi
Salem
FRA
Vanderbiest
Romain
RUS
Maksimov
Roman
ARG
Tivani
German Nicolas
Plenty of accomplished sprinters in here with Degenkolb and Swift leading the way.
And oh wow, Degenkolb attacks early!
Perhaps he sensed an opportunity with Tivani on his wheel, but this move has yet to work out. If anyone can, then it's Degenkolb.
Vanderbiest is worried.
Tiviani waits, but now he goes. Kemboi, Maksimov and Swift look to follow.
What has Degenkolb got left?
Tivani is on a charge! Kemboi not far behind, but Maksimov and Swift are.
A second unexpected win is coming for Tivani. Kemboi look good for 2nd, but what about Degenkolb and Vanderbiest?
Well done to Tivani
But Degenkolb crashes out!
1
German Nicolas Tivani
Argentina
5'46
2
Salem Kemboi
Kenya
s.t.
3
Romain Vanderbiest
France
s.t.
4
John Degenkolb
Germany
s.t.
5
Roman Maksimov
Russia
s.t.
6
Ben Swift
Great Britain
s.t.
Heat 5
BEL
Van Stayen
Michael
THA
Sanikwathi
Thanawut
RSA
Gibbons
Ryan
NOR
Kristoff
Alexander
LAT
Eislers
Ingus
MOR
Saber
Lahcen
Final heat of the session has Van Stayen as leading name. Eislers will hope to go well, and there's two more Round 1 winners in here - Sanikwathi and Gibbons.
Kristoff attacks early! Sanikwathi going with him.
Or Sanikwathi not going with him, a change of mind.
Eislers looking around. Who will chase?
They all go up the banking looking for speed. Kristoff doesn't seem to have any left.
Gibbons shoots out of Eislers wheel and is looking strong.
Saber and Van Stayen into the Top 3 too as Kristoff is caught. Did Eislers manage to save enough?
Well more than Saber! The Moroccan has blown.
Comfortable win for Van Stayen, and Gibbons' journey continues. But what about 3rd?
Fast finish from Sanikwathi, but Eislers takes it.
