To an infrequent observer of cycling competition, the cyclist acting in the role of the pacer in the Keirin track-cycling event looks a little odd.

He's dressed all in black and rides a motorized bike that looks like it's come straight out of early 20th century Paris. He appears to almost sneak up on the competitors.

A gun fires and the race starts.

He eventually leaves the track in the same quiet, dignified manner with which he arrived.

— Fergus Bell — Twitter http://twitter.com/fergb

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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.