Tour of Japan

The largest stage race in Asia with a total course length of some 860 km.
This is the successor to the International Cycle Road Race held fourteen times between 1982 and 1995 as the main event of Cycling Month in May. In 1996, the race was officially recognized by the UCI (l'Union Cycliste Internationale or International Cycling Union) for the fist time. This led to the changing of the name to the Tour of Japan and a much expanded scale. This competition is ranked as the top stage race in Japan and all of Asia for categories 2 through 4, and half of the participating teams must be trade teams.

Race Participating Teams Trade Teams

A competition for deciding a champion unfolds over a 860 km course consisting of six stages from Osaka to Tokyo. The finishing order is determined by the total time of each stage, and a rider must completely finish all the stages to be able to place in the race. The highest honor of this competition is the award for best all around rider. Team play, such as strategy and tactics that include assists, is a crucial element for clinching a victory for the team ace. The 9-member teams consist of six riders, a manager, and two staff members (a masseuse and mechanic). Sixteen teams consisting of trade teams from Japan and overseas, a national team, business group teams, and other teams compete. This is an all-out battle waged by ninety-six riders and their managers and staff during which a hotly contested race unfolds. Trade teams are professional teams operating under commercial sponsors. There are even Japanese riders who belong to overseas trade teams. Imanaka who used to be registered with Team Polti (Italy) and Hashikawa currently riding with Tonisteiner-Saxon-Colnago are well-known examples.

Copyright, 1998-1999 Bicycling Popularization Association of Japan. All rights reserved.

Race	Participating Teams	Trade Teams
A competition for deciding a champion unfolds over a 860 km course consisting of six stages from Osaka to Tokyo. The finishing order is determined by the total time of each stage, and a rider must completely finish all the stages to be able to place in the race. The highest honor of this competition is the award for best all around rider. Team play, such as strategy and tactics that include assists, is a crucial element for clinching a victory for the team ace.	The 9-member teams consist of six riders, a manager, and two staff members (a masseuse and mechanic). Sixteen teams consisting of trade teams from Japan and overseas, a national team, business group teams, and other teams compete. This is an all-out battle waged by ninety-six riders and their managers and staff during which a hotly contested race unfolds.	Trade teams are professional teams operating under commercial sponsors. There are even Japanese riders who belong to overseas trade teams. Imanaka who used to be registered with Team Polti (Italy) and Hashikawa currently riding with Tonisteiner-Saxon-Colnago are well-known examples.