Wearing his national colours, Diego Ulissi (UAE Team Emirates) claimed victory in the Tokyo 2020 Test Event (UCI 1.2). Second at the end of the 180.2 km course from Musashino no Mori Park to Fuji International Speedway) went to his compatriot Davide Formolo, 17″ behind, with Frenchman Peter Nans in third (+1’52”).
It was the fourth victory of the season for the Italian, adding to his win at the Gran Premio Città di Lugano (1.1) and a stage win and overall victory at the Tour of Slovenia (2.HC).
The race used the same roads but was a shorter version of the 234-kilometres route that will be used at Tokyo 2020, with athletes taking on the lower slopes of Mount Fuji as part of the race.
The line-up featured a mix of national teams and Asian UCI Continental teams including Ireland, Great Britain, Germany and Belgium with Aisan Racing Team, Team UKYO, Shimano Racing Team and Team Bridgestone Cycling amongst the trade teams taking part.
Best of the Irish was Mark Dowling in 18th place with Matthew Teggart finishing in the same time in 20th place. ROry Townsend was the other Irish finisher, in 40th place.
Diego Ulissi: “It was a tough course and I’m happy I could take the win. With forty kilometres to go we had a very demanding climb and before that there was barely a metre of flat road. T Olympic race will be even tougher because the course will be longer. It has been a good trip to Japan for me, I felt good which gives me positive feelings for the second half of the season.”
