Folks tuning into cycling may be a bit confused by the older chap dressed all in black chug-chug-chugging his way around the track on a scooter powered by a tiny two-stroke motor.

He's Peter Deary, the derny driver.

Deary's responsibility happens in an event called keirin, which involves six riders in each race. The motorized bike, called the derny, paces the field for the first 5 1/2 laps, gradually picking up speed before leaving the track so that the cyclists can contest a mad sprint to the finish.

The discipline originated in Japan, where it was popular among gamblers.

The 65-year-old Deary, one of the coaches at the velodrome in Manchester, England, has three dernys at his disposal: Faith, Hope and Charity. (Yes, they have names.) And he's become wildly popular, too. Every time Deary has scooted onto the track during the Olympics, the crowd has cheered his appearance.

Does he feel any pressure setting the pace for six riders seeking Olympic glory?

"I really try not to think about it," Deary said with a smile.

— Dave Skretta — Twitter http://twitter.com/APdaveskretta

___

EDITOR'S NOTE — "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.