UCI codes explained

2005 Results     Results

National champion dominates

By Kei Tsuji

The second race of the Kansai-cyclo, one of the Japan's cyclo series, was held in Yasugawa, near Lake Biwa. This race was the only chance to get UCI points for domestic cyclo-cross riders, and also very important for the national team selection for the worlds in Belgium. The course is largely flat as the Yasu river runs along it, and there are some sections covered with sand.

Under the dull sky, 41 top-class Japanese riders lined up for the race, including the national champion Keiichi Tsujiura, and podium-goer Masanori Kosaka. In addition, attention was focused on well-experienced rider, Masahiko Mifune, who announced his intention to retire at the end of this season. Banners displaying Mifune's name were visible all round the course.

From the beginning, the race was fully controlled by Tsujiura who wore the Japanese shining white champion jersey. After the first lap, a group of five riders, Tsujiura, Kosaka, Maruyama, Takenouchi and Mifune, formed together and no other riders could join it.

Gradually Tsujiura paced up and the others couldn't hold on to him. Only Kosaka could keep up with the fierce pace, but finally the power of the champion overwhelmed him. Tsujiura finished first and gained 30 UCI points. Though he was not in good condition, he succeeded to uphold the dignity of the champion.

The next race is National Championships in Hokkaido, the most notherly part of Japan. Can Tsujiura hold on to the title? It will be an exciting race to watch.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Hideaki Takagi

• Before the start , Shinya Ikemoto (FELT Wakokiki).
• Atsushi Maruyama (Suwako Racing Team) on the line.
• Yu Takenouchi (Rits Uji High) is a young promising rider.
• Masahiko Mifune(Miyata-Subaru) announced his intention to end the great career.
• Masanori Kosaka (Suwako Racing Team) leads Japanese Cyclo scene.
• Keiichi Tsujiura (Bridgestone-Anchor) wears the national champion jerjey.
• Now they are all ready for the race!.
• All riders jumped out to get a good position.
• At the first lap , Atsushi Maruyama (Suwako Racing Team) leads the group.
• Masanori Kosaka (Suwako Racing Team) rides after the leading group.
• Atsushi Maruyama (Suwako Racing Team) clears the barriers.
• Tetsuya Fujioka (Club Silbest) , ready for the barriers.
• Yuta Izawa (Bee Club) clears the barriers.
• Hideji Sasai (masahikomifune.com CyclingTeam) jumps over the barriers!.
• MTB rider Takahiro Ogasawara (Oga-Style/Felt).
• Shingo Shiraishi (Shimano Drinking) , passing the trees.
• Tetsuya Fujioka (Club Silbest)
• Yuichi Sawada (Team Cycle Mind)
• Hibiki Matsui (Kitakuwata High)
• Yasuyuki Sawada (VOLGA Tentoumushi)
• Keiichi Tsujiura (Bridgestone-Anchor) leads the race.
• Yu Takenouchi (Rits Uji High)
• Masanori Kosaka (Suwako Racing Team)
• Masahiko Mifune(Miyata-Subaru)
• Keiichi Tsujiura (Bridgestone-Anchor) goes up the stairs.
• Masanori Kosaka (Suwako Racing Team)
• Masahiko Mifune(Miyata-Subaru)
• Running up the stairs!.
• Masanori Kosaka (Suwako Racing Team) leads the national champ.
• Atsushi Maruyama (Suwako Racing Team)
• Reid Darren (GW Ridley-Japan)
• Masashi Matsui (Shimano Drinking)
• A MTB rider Shinobu Noguchi (Trek) enjoys the race.
• Wataru Otsuka (masahikomifune.com CyclingTeam) goes through the trees.
• Yu Takenouchi (Rits Uji High) climbs a small hill.
• Seigo Yamamoto (Kai Racing) showed a great acceraration after the start.
• Shinji Kubo (foober Network)
• The white champion jerjey has a large lead.
• Hiroshi Funaoka (Team Gachapin) never gives up!.
• Moritarou Nakama (Team Saitamaken-jin) on the sanded course.
• Masahiko Mifune(Miyata-Subaru) climbs hard.
• Keiichi Tsujiura (Bridgestone-Anchor) finished in the first place.
• Masanori Kosaka (Suwako Racing Team) couldn't catch up with Tsujiura and finished 2nd.
• Reid Darren (GW Ridley-Japan) finished 9th.
• Shinobu Noguchi (Trek) finished 10th.
• The podium , champion on the top.
• The winner Tsujiura and his Anchor.

Results

Elite Men

1 Keiichi Tsujiura (Bridgestone-Anchor)
2 Masanori Kosaka (Suwako Racing Team)
3 Atsushi Maruyama (Suwako Racing Team)
4 Masahiko Mifune (Subaru-Miyata)
5 Yu Takenouchi (Rits Uji High school)
6 Shinya Ikemoto (Felt Wakokiki Tamura club)
7 Shingo Shiraishi (Shimano Drinking)
8 Katsunori Irie (Shimano Drinking)
9 Reid Darren (GW Ridley-Japan)
10 Shinobu Noguchi (Trek)