Scot Ross Edgar is following a path once blazed by Sir Chris Hoy and heading for a summer on Japan's cut-and-thrust keirin circuit.


Keirin racing is popular with gamblers in the Far East, who wager huge sums on races.


Masaki Inoue is the defending champion of the Keirin Grand Prix, earning over $1.8 million (£1.26m) last season.


Hoy spent time perfecting his sprinting skills in Japan more than a decade ago and Olympic keirin silver medallist Edgar, who finished fourth at the recent World Championships, believes it could sharpen his skills in the track racing close season.


Edgar will be joined in Japan by British team-mate Matt Crampton, the reigning under-23 keirin European champion.


"Both Ross and I are really looking forward to it," said Crampton.


"There is some big prize money on offer and it's also really valuable racing experience for next season.


"The plan is to stay out there for three months but if things are going really it could become a little bit longer.


"We definitely will both be asking Chris for some advice. He's raced out there before and knows exactly what it takes to win in Japan."