ツアー・オブ・ジャパン 2023

Luke LAMPERTI and Liam JOHNSTON (both TRINITY RACING) completes a one-two finish in Sakai on Day 1!
OKA Atsushi (JCL TEAM UKYO) places the third overall, the best Japanese rider.

The Tour of Japan's traditional opening stage, back for the first time in four years, starts at the Stage 1 Sakai on day 1, the home of the Tomb of Nintoku Emperor's Tomb, which was designated as a World Heritage Site in July 2019. With the total distance of 722.3km, 96 riders from all 16 teams compete 8 stages of intense racing.
The Individual Time Trial (2.6km) was held at Daisen Park circuit course. 72,000 spectators gathered at the venue to cheer on the professional riders as they rode at their impressive speeds up close.

Fergus BROWNING (TRINITY RACING) who started 12th, set a good time early in the race, with a time of 3:09.96 which was the target time for the moment. Then, while HASHIMOTO Eiya (TEAM BRIDGESTONE CYCLING) and Carter BETTLES (VICTOIRE HIROSHIMA) continued to battle it out in the 3:09. range, Benjamin PRADES REVERTE (JCL TEAM UKYO) with a time of 3:08.94 updated the best time.

Liam JOHNSTON with 3:07.82 and moreover Luke LAMPERTI with 3:06.34, both from TRINITY RACING set unbeatable times which was a decisive moment. The stage 1 Sakai was completed a one-two finish by TRINITY RACING.

 OKA Atsushi (JCL TEAM UKYO) was third overall, 1.7 seconds behind the leader and claimed the best Japanese rider. Nathan EARLE (JCL TEAM UKYO), the 2022 Tour of Japan winner placed the 15th overall, 5.66 seconds behind the leader. 
The Tour of Japan continues heading to Stage 2 Kyoto.

Luke LAMPERTI (TRINITY RACING)
“It is always nice to start with a win, so I am really happy to start like today. I am looking forward the rest of the week and hopefully another victory.
Normally, time trial with this short course would be a chance for me, but it was not sure before the race if I was going to win the race. Tomorrow will be a quite different stage and it should be quite hard, especially because of heat and humidity here. We would like to keep the Green Jersey for the team.”