ツアー・オブ・ジャパン 2025

Dusan Rajovic (SOLUTION TECH VINI FANTINI) takes first stage
Finished fourth of the stage, Atsushi Oka(UTSUNOMIYA BLITZEN) claimed best Japanese rider.

The opening stage of the 2025 Tour of Japan, the Sakai Stage, was held on the Daisen Park circuit course, with Dusan Rajovic (Solutions Tech Vini Fantini) finishing first with 2'58"91, securing the green jersey as the overall leader.

The 2.6km circuit marked the start of the event. All 16 teams and 95 riders competed in the individual time trial, which consisted of one lap of the Daisen Park circuit.

Liam Walsh (CCACHE X BODYWRAP), set the provisional top time with a 3'00"51. His teammate Cameron Scott followed with a time of 3'01"02 to take provisional second place. However, Dusan Rajovic (Solutions Tech Vini Fantini), who started 78th of the day, clocked the only sub-3-minute time of 2'58"91 to claim the stage victory.

Atsushi Oka (Utsunomiya Blitzen) finished in 3'01.79, securing the best Japanese stage result in fourth place. Keije Solen(WANTY-NIPPO-RE UZ) who finished in 19th place on the stage, takes best young rider classification.

Dusan Rajovic (Solutions Tech Vini Fantini) – Stage1 Sakai Winner and Green Jersey Wearer
“Since the team's sponsor is a Japanese company, both the team and I approached today's race with high motivation, and during the race, I believed in myself and gave it my all. I think this course required more power than technique, but I am delighted to have won on this famous course. Tomorrow, I will aim to defend the leader's jersey and also go for the stage win in the sprint.“