ツアー・オブ・ジャパン 2024

Max WALKER (ASTANA QAZAQSTAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM), 11th starter wins the best time
TERADA Yoshiki (SHIMANO RACING TEAM) places the second overall, the best Japanese rider

The Sakai stage, the opening stage of the eight-stage Tour of Japan 2024, was held on the Daisen Park Circuit Course. Max WALKER from ASTANA QAZAQSTAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM who started proceedings as the 11th rider down the ramp, won the race with a top time of 3 minutes 8 seconds and wore the Green Jersey that signifies overall leader.

The rain that had been falling since the morning did not stop even at race starting time in the afternoon. 95 riders from 16 teams competed in the individual time trial, which consisted of one lap around the 2.6km of Daisen Park Circuit Course.

After Max WALKER took the provisional lead in 3 minutes 8 seconds, no one else came close to his time. Matteo MALUCELLI (JCL TEM UKYO), who started 63rd, took provisional second place in 3 minutes 16 seconds. TERADA Yoshiki (SHIMANO RACING TEAM), who started 68th, beat this time by about 3/100 of a second, but no other major changes occurred.

“I was nervous until the last rider came across the line,” WALKER said after the finish.  After a long wait in the hot seat, the stage win also came with the overall leader's, Green Jersey. TERADA, a local who held on to second place on the stage, took the White Jersey for the best young rider.

Max WALKER (ASTANA QAZAQSTAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM) – Green & Blue Jersey Wearer
“I am from the UK, so rain is normal for me and it didn’t affect so much. I tried to go fast, but didn’t want to clash, so I was careful at the corner. I had a confident because we use good tires. I was always nervous until the last rider came across the line. It will be my first time to wear the leader jersey, so I am very excited for tomorrow. I would like to keep the jersey, but it is not going to be easy.”

TERADA Yoshiki (SHIMANO RACING TEAM) – White Jersey Wearer
“To be honest, I did not expect to achieve the result. I am happy that I was able to ride the course in the same speed range as the morning criterium. I will try to defend the jersey and aim for victory in the stages I can aim for. The target stages will be the Kyoto stage, and Sagamihara stage which I have raced in the past and have a good image.”