ツアー・オブ・ジャパン 2025

Spectacular One-Two Finish for JCL TEAM UKYO!
ARAYA Nahom Zeray wins Mt. Fuji and FANCELLU Alessandro returns to the overall leader! 

Starting from the west gate of Fuji Speedway, 85 riders took on a grueling 66.6 km course that four laps (including a neutral section) of the 11.5 km Tokyo 2020 individual time trial course before heading into the punishing climb up the Fuji Azami Line. This stage, the most demanding of the race, proved to be the ultimate challenge for all riders.

Flurry exchange of attacks took place right from the start of the race, with OKA Atsushi (UTSUNOMIYA BLITZEN), EYOB Metkel (TERENGGANU CYCLING TEAM), TOUSSAINT Wouter (WANTY-NIPPO-RE-UZ), and PICARD Léon (TEAM BUFFAZ GESTION DE PATRIMOINE), and TORIBIO ALCOLEA Jose Vicente (MATRIX POWERTAG) succeed in breaking away.

OKA Atsushi (UTSUNOMIYA BLITZEN) showcased his sprinting prowess by taking top honors in both intermediate sprints, set at the end of laps one and three. With 10 points collected on the day, OKA narrowed the gap to just two points behind points classification leader FANCELLU Alessandro (JCL TEAM UKYO). OKA did the best he could do today to win the points award in Tokyo.

The leading group of five riders had once gained a gap of 2 minutes and 15 seconds, but by the time they reached the Azami Line, it had decreased to 1 minute and 10 seconds. As they began the climb, KINAN RACING TEAM increased the pace of the peloton, and with less than 9 kilometers remaining, the breakaway was completely caught.

With less than 6 km remaining at the Kyu-Umagaeshi, ADAMIETZ Johannes (REMBE | RAD-NET) launched an attack. FANCELLU and DYBALL Benjamin (VICTOIRE HIROSHIMA) chased him, reducing the lead group to three riders. Meanwhile, ARAYA Nahom Zeray, who was supporting overall leader RACCANI Simone (both from JCL TEAM UKYO), caught up with the group in front of FANCELLU alone with less than 4km to go.

FANCELLU sees ARAYA joining him and jumps out to attack. DYBALL, marked by ARAYA, was stuck. ADAMIETZ, who ran more aggressively, dropped out at this point. Araya, who had spotted DYBALL condition, accelerated at once and joined up with FANCELLU in front. This set up a situation with two riders from JCL TEAM UKYO against DYBALL.

On the climb, ARAYA showed a powerful ride, occasionally helping FANCELLU when he started to lag while maintaining the pace. Gradually, they increased the gap over the chasing DYBALL.

With 250 meters remaining, FANCELLU, confident he would reclaim the overall leader’s jersey, allowed his teammate ARAYA to lead out. Showing the strongest climbing performance of the day, ARAYA accelerated smoothly and crossed the finish line at the top of the Azami Line mountain first, claiming the stage victory. FANCELLU finished second on the stage, six seconds behind, secured his return to the overall leader’s position, and shared congratulations with ARAYA for their strong efforts.

DYBALL Benjamin, the only rider to break into the JCL group, ultimately finished third on the stage, 23 seconds behind. Reflecting on the day, the veteran—who had previously finished in the top three on the Mt. Fuji stage of the Tour of Japan—said, "I wanted to win, but JCL TEAM UKYO was too strong. I should be satisfied with third place after giving it my all today."

Following DYBALL was the overall leader RACCANI, who finished fourth on the stage, 36 seconds behind, maintaining his second place in the general classification. In the end, the day belonged entirely to JCL TEAM UKYO. All three stage wins in this race were by different riders from the team, and they also lead the three major individual classifications: General Individual Time Classification, General Individual Points Classification, and General KOM Classification.

At Mt. Fuji, JCL TEAM UKYO achieved an ideal result thanks to effective teamwork. Unlike the previous day, all the riders wore bright expressions. For a team largely made up of new members this season, the significance of cooperating and seizing victory on the toughest stage is by no means small.

Stage Winner ARAYA Nahom Zeray (JCL TEAM UKYO) – Comments:
"Our team’s goal was to defend the overall leader’s jersey. When it was just FANCELLU and me, he told me to lead until the finish, and then asked me to go for the stage win. I fell behind in the overall standings at Iida due to the heat, but I am satisfied with my performance today."

Overall Individual Time Classification (Green Jersey) & Overall Points Classification (Blue Jersey) — FANCELLU Alessandro (JCL TEAM UKYO) Comments:
“Mt Fuji was a short but tough stage. Especially near the end, I really struggled with the high altitude… When three riders broke away with about 5–6 km to go, I chased after them. Seeing RACCANI struggling in the group behind, I decided to set my own pace and ride alone. Then Nahom caught up and took the lead in front. He was the strongest rider today. I’m happy we could show that we are a strong team.

Overall Individual KOM Classification (Red Jersey) — GARIBBO Niccolò (JCL TEAM UKYO) Comments:
“It was a tough stage, but since the team achieved a stage win and successfully defended the leader’s jersey, it was a perfect day. Tonight, we’ll have a team meeting to decide how to ride tomorrow, but if possible, I’d like to join a breakaway and add more mountain points.”

Best Young Rider (White Jersey) — PLACE Maxence (WANTY-NIPPO-RE-UZ) Comments:
“Climbing Mt. Fuji by bike should be banned by law (laughs). I’m a bit disappointed with today’s result. My legs felt good, but I couldn’t ride well. In the end, I finished in the top 10 of the stage, so that’s not too bad, but I was aiming for a higher position. However, I did defend the best young rider jersey, and there are still two race days left to do something.”

REPORT BY：OMATA Yuta

Stage 6 – Fujisan results
1st    ARAYA Nahom Zeray    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    2h 9m 48s
2nd    FANCELLU Alessandro    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    ＋6s
3rd    DYBALL Benjamin    (VICTORE HIROSIHMA）    ＋23s

Individual Overall Time Classification (Green Jersey)
1st    FANCELLU Alessandro    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    14h 07 m 42s
2nd    RACCANI Simone    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    ＋21s
3rd    DYBALL Benjamin    (VICTORE HIROSIHMA）    ＋1m 13s

Individual Overall Points Classification (Blue Jersey)
1st    FANCELLU Alessandro    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    48pt
2nd    OKA Atsushi    （UTSUNOMYA BLITZEN）    46pt
3rd    RACCANI Simone    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    34pt 

Individual Overall Mountains Classification (Red Jersey)
1st    GARIBBO Niccolò    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    22pt
2nd    ARAYA Nahom Zeray    （JCL TEAM UKYO）    20pt
3rd    BATSAIKHAN Tegsh-bayar    （ROOJAI INSURANCE）    19pt

Individual Overall Best Young Rider Classification (White Jersey)
1st    PLACE Maxence    （WANTY-NIPPO-RE-UZ）
2nd    HEATH Wil    （CCACHE X BODYWRAP）
3rd    MORITA Toa    （JAPAN NATIONAL TEAM）