ツアー・オブ・ジャパン 2023

For the first time in four years, the Tour of Japan 2023 finally comes back with full specs for 8 stages over 8 days in all. Prior to the event, a public press conference was held at Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, the day before the event.
5 remarkable riders including 2 Japanese talked about their condition and enthusiasm for the upcoming eight days of competition.

Jeroen MEIJERS (TERENGGANU POLYGON CYCLING TEAM) 
“I expect a pretty hard race, a lot of climbs also. It is always nice to have wins in the early of the season, so I am happy with that. I am motivated to do good again. 
 For me personally, first I target to try to get a stage win and for Mt. Fuji stage, I am not quite sure how far I can come on a clime. We have a very strong team for the GC and we all can try to get on the podium.”

Callum ORMISTON (GLOBAL 6 CYCLING) 
“This is my first time to be in Japan. One thing I would say what stands out is how kind and respectful people are. It is definitely outstanding, and the rest of the world can admire about Japan. 
Stage 6 will be quite interesting. Most of us have not done 11K, like just going upper climb. I am definitely looking in some stages and hopefully GC result in the end will be quite nice.”

Shotaro IRIBE (SHIMANO RACING) 
“I am so happy to be back in SHIMANO RACING and of course the Tour of Japan. I'm also very enthusiastic about the Sakai stage time trial on the first day, which I surprisingly like. Our team has had a high-altitude training camp and everyone is fired up and in good shape. We will go into the race with both the stage and the GC wins in mind.”

Luke LAMPERTI (TRINITY RACING) 
“It is really nice to be here in Japan for my first time. I was very looking forward it with the team. As far as the stages specifically I have not looked up too much, so I am not sure exactly. But the Mt. Fuji for sure will be a hard stage. We have quite a strong team with different guys, a few guys who go for GC and a few can go for stages. I would like to get a stage win for me personally than GC, since there are too many mountains for me to go for GC.”

Kazutoshi KARIYA (EF EDUCATION - NIPPO DEVELOPMENT TEAM)
“I am very much looking forward to racing at the Tour of Japan with 8 stages for my first time. I want to boldly race each stage in my own way. I will try my best to achieve one win at the Tour of Japan, and as many victories as possible for the team.”