First and most significantly right here is the You Tube hyperlink to the race, which I presume will likely be in Japanese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtkxMl4QA08
14 laps round this race course:
I discover this race to be very entertaining even with struggling to determine the riders. (Right here is the hyperlink to PCS’ startlist which you must preserve useful: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/japan-cup/2024/startlist
It’s climby sufficient so the winners have to be in respectable kind, plus the end line just isn’t on the high of the climb so it’s potential for somebody with no nice punch can win it, once more if their kind is nice. Additionally EF/Vaughters takes this race severely which appears to boost the seriousness for the opposite groups and after it’s over I are likely to assume that I want I may see these riders race a number of extra days over this course.
Current winder do are usually climby guys however not solely: Mollema has gained it twice, Rui Costa, Powless, Nathan Hass, Marco Canola. Typically the race ends in a small uphill bunch dash which isn’t one thing we see each race.
So who to look out for
EF riders, particularly Powless and Archie Ryan, each of whom appear to be in good kind. In addition they have Steinhauser and Nerurkar as again up so good staff for this race.
Lidi Trek can also be bringing some warmth with Mad Pedersen together with Bagioli and Skuijns, who gained the crit race, all of whom may deliver the win residence.
Bahrain has Mohoric and Zambanini
Jayco has Simon Proper Yates and Mauro Schmid who was second within the crit race
Israel has Michael Woods, who has are available second earlier than.
That is additionally Yukiya Arashiro’s final race of his profession having turned 40 final month.
So who do I believe?