The winner of the Volta Limburg, realize also the first Asian top result of the year for the NIPPO Vini Fantini team, winning the second stage of the Tour of Japan. It is the second victory of the team in the month of May after the GP of Lugano victory by Iuri Filosi. In the sprint of the group a good placement also for Kazushige Kuboki closing with a good 5th final place.
Kyoto, 22nd of May 2017.
Marco Canola is the new leader of the Tour of Japan. The winner of the Volta Limburg, that in the month of April won the first race of the season in Europe, gives to the NIPPO Vini Fantini team also the first top result in Asia. For the Italian-Japanese team is the second victory in the month of May, after the one of GP of Lugano made by Iuri Filosi.
STAGE & GENERAL RANKING.
Marco Canola wins the second stage of the Tour of Japan with a wonderful action that 10km before the finish-line surprised all the competitors. Behind him a good job made by all his teammates, leaded by the experienced Alan Marangoni. The #OrangeBlue riders worked all together to stop the group chasing and helping Marco Canola to maintain the gap.
The 7 seconds of advantage taken today, together with the very good individual time trial made yesterday (5th place), gives to Marco Canola also the leadership of the general ranking.
A victory and a leadership in the general ranking that have a strong value for the Italian-Japanese team riding one of his “home races”. A race with a strong relevance for all the sponsor of the team.
THE RACE, THE TEAM AND KAZUSHIGE KUBOKI.
The race development was “classic” until Marco Canola final action. The daily breakaway of 5 riders have been caught by the group with the chase leaded by the United Healthcare that this morning was wearing the leader jersey with Daniel Summerhill. The expected final was a group sprint, but Marco Canola anticipated an action, surprising all the competitors, 10 km before the finish-line. Behind the best teams try to manage the chase, but #OrangeBlue leaded also by the experience of Alan Marangoni stopped all the competitors actions helping Canola to maintain the Gap.
In the group sprint behind the winner, Kazushige Kuboki reached a good final 5th place, that is an important signal looking forward to next sprint arrivals.
The Tour of Japan is at the very begin, but already is full of emotions for the NIPPO Vini Fantini team.
THE WINNER.
Emotions and good feelings coming also from the words of the winner of the stage, Marco Canola:
“I’m proud to be part of the NIPPO Vini Fantini team and winning today with a solo attack, in one of the most important races of my team, here in Japan, has been exciting. Here we are the home-team and we can feel the love of the people for the team and for cycling. We came here two days before the race to try the road because we know very well the importance of the race for our team.”
About the final action: “First of all I ask to my team-mates leaders for the GPM Hideto Nakane and Ivan Santaromita their feelings. Probably I was the rider of the team feeling better today so I decided to try the action. At the begin I thought someone will follow me, but I remained alone. So it has been hardest but also more exciting. It wasn’t easy to be alone for all the final 10 km but I did by best reaching the best result as possibile for the team today. The first goal, to win a stage, is made. Now we have many other stages to improve our results starting from tomorrow another good stage for me and the team.”
The third stage will be from Inabe to Inabe, 127 km.
Race that can be followed Worldwide in Livestreaming at the following link.