Stage 1 Report（English）
TOUR OF JAPAN 2015 Stage 1（Sakai／2.65km I.T.T.）
Number of visitors：71,000
Temperature：26℃
Weather: Fine weather
Sakai,Osaka, 17th May 2015
Konichiwa!
The Tour of Japan went underway in the 2nd largest city of Osaka with 71,000 fans lining up the streets to watch professional bike racing action with perfect weather conditions gleaming upon them.
The Sakai Stage (Stage 1) was held in Daisen Park with an individual time trial to start off the 18th Edition of the Tour of Japan. Sakai is also home to the world renowned Shimano Inc., makers of the world’s best bicycle components and was also providing Technical Support for the race.
The 2.65 km course proved that sheer strength and brilliant tactics were needed to complete the day’s stage.
Drapac Professional Cycling’s Brenton Jones with a total time of 3’19”.17 won the stage.
Second position went to Neil Van Der Ploeg of Avanti Racing Team with a total time of 3’19”.78 and Tomas Davison of Avanti Racing Team won third position with a total time of 3’20”.32.
The best time for the day for the Japanese rider went to Aisan’s, Hideto Nakane with a total time of 3’22”.73 to complete the day in 8th position.
The race heads out to Inabe Stage for its Second Stage on Tuesday which will see the riders recharged and raring to go after a transfer day tomorrow.
Brenton Jones(Drapac Professional Cycling)
What was your impression of today’s race?
“ The short races/prologue suits me. My first prologue was at the Harold Sun Tour in
Melbourne at the start of the year and I was 3rd there and to take part in the second prologue of the year for me and to win today is very good. I’m very happy to take the lead and shave time from last year. My team mate, Will Clarke won last year and for Drapac Professional Cycling, it’s been two years in a row for us and I am very happy to take the lead heading into the next stage”
Hideo Nakane(Aisan Racing Team)
How was your day today Nakane?
“I was surprised to get a very good time today and thanks to my Coach who won the time trial here 3 years ago and my team mates who went before me on the course who gave me brilliant tactics for me to get a good time for the day. We are very happy with the result but we are also gunning to get better results as the day goes by. We have a strong team of riders and we are going to work hard for good results in this year’s Tour of Japan”
