The Final Day, Part 2: Japan Cup LIVE!

First and most significantly right here is the You Tube hyperlink to the race, which I presume can 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 must be in first rate type, plus the end line isn’t on the prime of the climb so it’s attainable for somebody with out a nice punch can win it, once more if their type is nice. Additionally EF/Vaughters takes this race critically which appears to boost the seriousness for the opposite groups and after it’s over I are likely to suppose that I want I might see these riders race a number of extra days over this course.

Current winder do are typically climby guys however not completely: Mollema has gained it twice, Rui Costa, Powless, Nathan Hass, Marco Canola. Usually 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 type. In addition they have Steinhauser and Nerurkar as again up so good workforce for this race.
Lidi Trek can be bringing some warmth with Mad Pedersen together with Bagioli and Skuijns, who gained the crit race, all of whom might carry the win dwelling.
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 in second earlier than.
That is additionally Yukiya Arashiro’s final race of his profession having turned 40 final month.

So who do I believe?