Tour Of Japan Final Stage

The Tour Of Japan ended in Tokyo on Sunday, we won't spoil it for you if you don't already know who won what...

Tour Of Japan Photos

As the Tour Of Japan nears it's Tokyo finish, a few more photos taken at last weekend's opening stage in Sakai, Osaka.

Tour Of Japan 2013 Stage One

The first stage of the 2013 Tour Of Japan took place in Sakai, Osaka yesterday. Before the main individual time trial for the tour the venue played host to the Sakai International Criterium races.

 Meanwhile "backstage" the mechanics and riders were getting ready to do their thing...

The legend that is Yoshiaki Nagasawa was on hand to offer advice

 And then, right on cue as the time trial was about to begin, the heavens opened and the real, heavy rain came...

The stage was won by Taiji Nishitani of the Asian Racing Team, by that time we were in the Bicycle Museum drying ourselves out! More on that later. You can see the thrills and spills from the day's racing on the Tour Of Japan's Youtube channel.

Tour Of Japan 2013

2004 Tour of Japan overall winner Shinichi Fukushima. Photo by Sonoko Tanaka

This Sunday (19th) sees the start of the 2013 Tour Of Japan  The first stage is an individual time trail in Sakai, Osaka, home of not only Shimano but also the Bicycle Museum. Weather permitting we will report back on what should be a cycling filled day next week.