Japan Cup is coming soon, but yet many good news for the NIPPO Vini fantini team. Already official for 2018 season the young talents Danilo and Imerio Cima and the young Japanese rider Hiroki Nishimura, it’s now time for Sho Hatsuyama. Born in 1988, coming from team Bridgestone, Japanese National Champion i 2016, best climber of the Tour of Japan 2017, from 2018 will be an #OrangeBlue rider.
Utsunomiya, 20 October 2017.
The Japan Cup big week-end is coming and it’s time for announcement in NIPPO Vini Fantini team. While the team is approaching the final race of the 2017 season is already planning the future. After the announcements of the young Japanese talent Hiroki Nishimura and the to young Italians Imerio and Damiano Cima, it’s now time of Sho Hatsuyama. Complete rider, ready to compete at European and Worldwide level after the important experience in team Bridgestone where he won 2 stages, one National Road Championship in 2016 and the KOM jersey of the 2017 Tour of Japan. In this recent Tour of Japan, while Marco Canola and the NIPPO vini Fantini team were winning 3 stages and the point ranking jersey, he won the KOM jersey. He was the only Japanese rider on the final podium winning one of the 4 jersey of the race, together with Marco Canola. From podium mates to team mates, in the team that will be leader in 2018 by Marco Canola. Who Hatsuyama will have both the goal to support the leader, but also a precious rider for the team in Asian and worldwide competitions.
THE RIDER COMMENT.
“To be a professional rider with European team was my dream since I was a high school student. The contract with NIPPO Vini Fantini means my dream has come true. So really I’m happy with this opportunity. When I was a rider of U23 category, I was in Italy and racing with the Italian amateur team from 2008 to 2010. I know how difficult to success in European cycling, but I wanna try with my best. I’m very appreciate to team Bridgestone Anchor, my team mates and sponsors. They made me to develop a lot of things as professional cyclist.”
Career
===========
Born at 17th August 1988 in Kanagawa prefecture
Height/ Weight 175cm／59kg
2013 Tour de Okinawa 1st
2015 Tour de Singkarak stage9 1st
2016 National Championships Road race 1st
2017 Tour of Japan the winner of K.O.M.
TEAMS
2008〜2009 A.S.D CICLISTICA MALMANTILE（Italy, Amateur）
2010 CENE VALLE SERIANA（Italy, Amateur）
2011〜2012 Utsunomiya Blitzen（Japan・UCI Continental）
2013〜2017 Team Bridgestone Anchor （Japan・UCI Continental）