Cyclists race in Chuo Ward, Kumamoto on the morning of July 20.
15:00 JST, August 3, 2024
KUMAMOTO — The Kumamoto keirin velodrome, which was closed after the April 2016 earthquake, has been restored and is now open in the city’s Chuo district.
The earthquake caused the track, or cycling stadium, to crack and the windows of the stands to break, making the track unusable.
In October 2021, the facility began to reopen. The 500-meter long ramp was shortened to its usual length of 400 meters and the velodrome finally reopened on June 15. On July 20, races were held for the first time in about eight years, with enthusiastic fans gathering to cheer on the cyclists.
When the cycling stadium was rebuilt, the seating capacity was also reduced to accommodate about 4,000 people, down from about 12,000 before the earthquake. It now has special indoor seating where fans can watch races on monitors, as well as group seating. A parking lot will be built next budget year that can accommodate about 300 vehicles.
In February 2026, the circuit will host the 41st Yomiuri Shimbun All-Japan Keirin Cup, the first G-1 race in about 20 years.
