2024-05-10 10:55:00
A route that runs along the Koza River photo:Satoru Kato
Today’s kanji is “kawa”. photo:Satoru Kato
The monolith, a nationally designated natural monument, measures 150 m high and 800 m wide. ©︎KUMANO TOUR 2024
This year, the Tour of Kumano was relaunched as a 3-day, 3-stage race with a new stage in the town of Kozagawa. The event will take place approximately a month earlier.
The first stage measured 126.7 km, consisting of three laps of a 42.6 km course along the Koza River which runs through southern Wakayama Prefecture. The climbing section includes a class 3 mountain and a sprint point is located in front of a nationally classified natural monument monolith.
A dark mountainous area even during the day photo:Satoru Kato
Last year, the race was scheduled to take place over one day, but it was canceled due to bad weather. It therefore took place for the first time this year (the route was modified compared to the race organized as part of the Japan Cycle League). ).
The attack and absorption are repeated immediately following the actual departure. photo:Satoru Kato
The first group was controlled by the Kinan Racing team. photo:Satoru Kato
In total, 16 teams participated: 5 foreign teams and 11 national teams. The race started at 9:30 a.m., when the sky was clear and blue and the temperature was starting to rise. From the beginning, there were repeated attacks and absorptions. However, few players are susceptible to the jump move, so it’s not a long-lasting escape.
Benjamin Prades (VC Fukuoka, center of photo) and Kai Kobayashi (Matrix Power Tag, left of photo) competing for the top mountaineering prize photo:Satoru Kato
Benjamin Prades (VC Fukuoka) and Kai Kobayashi (Matrix Power Tag) will compete for the mountain prize from the first round. Prades moved into first place in the first race and Kobayashi moved into first place in the second and third races. Kobayashi won the mountain prize from day one.
In the final lap the pace increases with Matrix Power Tag in the lead. photo:Satoru Kato
The group was reduced to around 30 people towards the end. photo:Satoru Kato
The group had progressed without major collapses until the end of the second round, and Matrix Power Tag began to take control entering the third round. After the climbing section, the group split up and regarding 30 people took the lead, and the gap between them and those behind them grew to over a minute. The battle turned into a sprint between the leading groups, and John Carter (Cash Par Kupp) prevailed by winning the draw.
A sprint race with a tight margin ©️KUMANO TOUR 2024
John Carter (Cash Par Kupp) wins the sprint ©️KUMANO TOUR 2024
Commentary by John Carter
“We were able to win because the team did a good job in the final group sprint. I am happy that we were able to win for the first time with this team. I want to keep this leader’s jersey from tomorrow. “
Prize-giving ceremony for the 1st stage of the Tour of Kumano photo:Satoru Kato
John Carter (Cash Par Kupp) won the individual standings, rookie of the year and points. photo:Satoru Kato
The mountaineering prize goes to Kai Kobayashi (Matrix Power Tag) photo:Satoru Kato
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