Stage Races

Stage races in Japan are up to twelve days long.
This is a competition held over two or more days between teams that compete to get the best total time. One-day stages and time-trial stages are also incorporated. The maximum length is twelve days including the prologue and rest days.
Men: 12 days
Women: 6 days
Total length: About 2,000 km
Participants Team Composition Prologue

The race is limited to 200 participants. There must be at least four and no more than ten regular members on a team. In addition, there can be half as many substitutes registered as there are regular members. These substitutes can replace regular members during the race. A course is 8 km or more, and the race is held as individual time trials. When there are 60 or more riders, they start in one-minute intervals.

Start Ranking Team Time Trial

The 200 racers line right up to the starting line, with the highest ranked riders (according to their number) at the front, and then start all at the same time when the starting gun goes off. Rankings are determined by the total of an individual's time for each stage. The maximum course length is 100 km for men and 50 km for women, but such long distances have not been used much in recent years.

Individual Time Trial Stage Distance Public Roads

Time trial stages are placed during the various stages. Racers compete in one-day stages of around 180 to 260 km. Roads between cities are most often used.

Rest Day Road Racing Bicycle for Flatlands Road Racing Bicycle for Hills

During races lasting ten or more days for men and 5 or more days for women, the race stops for a full day to allow riders to rest. These bicycles have their seat angled higher to make it easier to place the body forward for increased speed. They are designed to provide increased stability at high speeds and are used on courses with many flat areas. These bicycles are lighter and have their seats angled flatter to make it easier to lower the hips when climbing hills. This design allows more efficient pedaling on courses with lots of hills.

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

Participants	Team Composition	Prologue
The race is limited to 200 participants.	There must be at least four and no more than ten regular members on a team. In addition, there can be half as many substitutes registered as there are regular members. These substitutes can replace regular members during the race.	A course is 8 km or more, and the race is held as individual time trials. When there are 60 or more riders, they start in one-minute intervals.
Start	Ranking	Team Time Trial
The 200 racers line right up to the starting line, with the highest ranked riders (according to their number) at the front, and then start all at the same time when the starting gun goes off.	Rankings are determined by the total of an individual's time for each stage.	The maximum course length is 100 km for men and 50 km for women, but such long distances have not been used much in recent years.
Individual Time Trial	Stage Distance	Public Roads
Time trial stages are placed during the various stages.	Racers compete in one-day stages of around 180 to 260 km.	Roads between cities are most often used.
Rest Day	Road Racing Bicycle for Flatlands	Road Racing Bicycle for Hills
During races lasting ten or more days for men and 5 or more days for women, the race stops for a full day to allow riders to rest.	These bicycles have their seat angled higher to make it easier to place the body forward for increased speed. They are designed to provide increased stability at high speeds and are used on courses with many flat areas.	These bicycles are lighter and have their seats angled flatter to make it easier to lower the hips when climbing hills. This design allows more efficient pedaling on courses with lots of hills.

Men: 12 days Women: 6 days Total length: About 2,000 km