ツアー・オブ・ジャパン 2024

Overall leader conquers Mt Fuji!　Giovanni CARBONI (JCL TEAM UKYO) Wins Queen Stage of Tour of Japan

The sixth day of the Tour of Japan featured the queen stage of the event, the Mt Fuji. This year, a 66.6-km route was set up that included four 11.5km laps using the Tokyo 2020 individual time trial course, followed by a climb up the Fuji Azami Line. The starting point was Fuji Speedway. The riders took on the main course after a parade run on the circuit.

A breakaway of five riders formed on the first lap: Davide TONEATTI and Max WALKER (both from ASTANA QAZAQSTAN DEVELOPMENT TEAM), TERADA Yoshiki (Shimano Racing), Ryan CAVANAGH (KINAN RACING TEAM), and YAMAGUCHI EIJI (LEVANTE FUJI SHIZUOKA). TERADA took first intermediate sprint and added 5 pt on points classification.

CAVANAGH took second intermediate sprint at lap 4, and TERADA, with 3pt of his 2nd place, secured the points leader jersey.

WALKER went clear on the foot of Fuji Azami line. With 16km to go, TONEATTI caught up with him and the two Astana riders took the lead. As they entered the Fuji Azami line, TONEATTI attacked with 11km to go and took the lead solo.

Benjamin DYBALL (VICTOIRE HIROSHIMA) attacked from the main group. GC leader Giovanni CARBONI and Merhawi KUDUS (TERENGGANU CYCLING TEAM) joined DYBALL and overtook TONEATTI with 6km to go.

The three riders attacked each other but no decisive move produced. With 1.1km to go, CARBONI's attack was successful. The overall leader crossed the finish line alone, with KUDUS in second place by 21 seconds and DYBALL in third place by 23 seconds.

Giovanni CARBONI (JCL TEAM UKYO) – Stage6 Fujisan Winner & Green Jersey Wearer
“I would like to dedicate this victory to my teammates and staff. It was my first time to climb Mt. Fuji, but my teammates told me that the gradient would steepen in the last 5 km. I was confident to win because I was in control of the race even after there were three of us. Mt. Fuji was a tougher climb than the Giau and Mortirolo passes. It is different from Europe in that the gradient is still very steep, especially after exiting the corners.”

TERADA Yoshiki (SHIMANO RACING TEAM) – Blue Jersey Wearer
“We needed to move today to take advantage of the battle for the final points classification. With the overall contenders so closely matched, I expect tomorrow to be a messy race, with a point battle and a bonus time battle happening at the same time. I think that unless we finish in the top positions in Sagamihara and Tokyo at the finish, we will not be able to take the blue jersey in Tokyo. It will be a tough battle, but I will do my best.”

NAKAI Tadaaki (SHIMANO RACING TEAM) – Red Jersey Wearer
“Today, I raced to get sprint points for Terada, and I was able to control the group in cooperation with the riders of JCL TEAM UKYO. I think the mountain prize is solid because of the point difference from the second-place rider, but I will concentrate to support Terada again tomorrow."

Nicolas Vinokurov (Astana Qazaqstan Development Team) – White Jersey Wearer
“Mt. Fuji, what a climb! I hope bring this white jersey home. I'll try my best tomorrow and Sunday. We'll see. "