NTN presents 2018 ツアー・オブ・ジャパン

NTN presents 2018 Tour of Japan (TOJ) finally comes to Izu stage where General Classification will be decisive.  The course is 120.8 km in total with 3828 meters of elevation gain, saying it is a hardest one among all stages.  The start point was different from last year’s and the parade run started in front of Shuzenji station and head to a circuit in Japan Cycle Sports Center, Shizuoka Prefecture, making 9 laps of 12.2 km.

After actual start set at 1 km ahead of Shuzenji station, many riders tried to be in a breakaway, but it was not successful.  About 10 riders formed a break once, but the group included top riders in GC and was not allowed to escape from a peloton.

The front group was caught and 5 riders made another attack, one more chased soon after.  The leading group was made up of 6, including Yuzuru SUZUKI (UTSUNOMIYA BLITZEN) who was placed in 4th for KOM battle and Grega BOLE (BAHRAIN – MERIDA), Blue Jersey wearer. 

On the other hand, the peloton was controlled by KINAN CYCLING TEAM which Green Jersey wearer, Marcos GARCIA FERNANDEZ belongs to.

Category 2 climb points today were set in 3rd (37.7 km) and 6th lap (74.3 km) and it was the last chance to get Mountain classification points in 2018 TOJ.  Yuzuru SUZUKI (UTSUNOMIYA BLITZEN) was in the leading group for KOM points, made it to get both two KOM points and is almost to win 2018 TOJ Red Jersey Wearer.  If he completes the race, Tokyo stage tomorrow, Red Jersey Wearer goes to a Japanese rider for two years in a row.

Sprint points were set in the end of 4th and 7th lap and BOLE (BAHRAIN – MERIDA) got both two sprint points and made gap to Marco CANOLA (NIPPO – VINI FANTINI – EUROPE OVINI) who is the 2nd in Point Classification.

In last three laps, Yuzuru SUZUKI (UTSUNOMIYA BLITZEN) and some off the back and only BOLE kept to be in the front group with two others, Chris HARPER (BENNELONG SWISSWELLNESS CYCLING TEAM) who was aggressive in Fujisan stage yesterday and a Columbian rider, Felix Alejandro BARON CASTILLO (TEAM ILLUMINATE).

The front group kept time gap of around 2 minutes to a chasing group.  In last two laps, top GC riders made attacks, but riders of KINAN CYCLING TEAMS responded.  Three riders in the front group increased speed, the gap to a chasing group stayed about one minute and a half and successfully escaped from the peloton.

BOLE (BAHRAIN – MERIDA) who apparently has sprint power most among the three riders made a stage win for the second time since the third stage.  BOLE got sprint points, keeping Blue Jersey and the gap to CANOLA, 2nd in point classification is 36 points.  The final Blue Jersey battle will be seen in Tokyo stage tomorrow.

“The team ordered to target both a stage win and KOM today.  I made an attack with riders who were between battles of GC and stage win and could earn the points.”

“It was really a hard stage.  Three years ago, I lost my green jersey here.  I know this stage very well.  When I came to Japan, I wanted to win this Izu stage.”

“The speed was really crazy fast in the beginning of the race, but I took my rhythm back and kept 3-minute gap to a front group.  We could not catch the front group, but we have successfully completed our plan.”

Weather：SUNNY

Temperature：24℃

Spectators：18,500