A short prologue to start the Tour of Japan. Due to the short length it`S hard t create big gaps but it could be a sign of the favourite`s form.
Nimiec, Veloso and Costa might be the best time trialist of the puncheurs/climbers. But they are not favourites for the stage win today.
Stannard surely is the big favourite having already shown his strength this season.
He will be mainly challenged by the Bianchi duo Aramendia & Mazur.
For the big race favourites Gadret, De La Fuente, Augustyn or Kessiakoff it`s avoiding too big time loss.
Traficante
Stannard
Pretty early the big favourite is on the road and as expected he takes the virtual lead but just two seconds ahead of Traficante.
A sign of a not that good day or just the short route?
For the first time it`s becoming really loud today. The first Japanese overall rider is on the road with Sano
Veloso
Also the Spaniard is out there early. He takes 2nd with 2s to Stannard.
Sano, not known as grat time trialist loses another 4s and can`t be too unhappy.
Mazur
The Pole is the first to challenge Stannard a lot but in the end he is equal but counted 2nd. Good ride by him.
Gil
Moreno
Two big favourites for a top10 on the road. Although Gil is wearing the Spanish ITT jersey, he is not really a time trialist neither is Moreno.
Both lose 8s on Stannard.
Time for the spectators to go crazy. Their Japanese superstar starts his race. Surely no one for today but a good bet for other stages for sure. Arashiro +6s
Aramendia
Sousa
Aramendia beats Stannard`s time and sets a new best. The Spaniard is 1s faster than the Brit and has great chances now to win the stage.
Sousa is Trilux biggest hope although he is not on the level of the other team leaders. (+4s)
Ben Nasser
Froome
Two of the best puncheurs in Japan but surely no climbers, so they might struggle on Mt Fuji later this race. Still 3 hilly stages for these kind of riders.
Ben Nasser (+8) and Froome (+6) with a solid ride.
Costa
Kessiakoff
Martinez
Coming to the bigger favourites. Costa being a great allrounder might be aiming a top 10 here while the other two could go a bit higher trying for a top 5.
Today Costa is the strongest being just 1s behind, while Kessiakoff (+4) and Martinez (+3) can be content.
De la Fuente
Augustyn
Nimiec
First two surely must be expected in the fight for the overall podium, while Nimiec needs a great mountain ITT to challenge the best.
Today he at least sets a brilliant prologue being 2nd beating Stannard by 1s but not able to overtake Aramendia.
Augustyn with just +3 is in a very good position now, while De la Fuente already lost 8s. Nothing too serious seeing all the hard stages, where the gaps will surely be bigger but he first needs to gain this time back.
Gadret
Top favourite Gadret is the best climber in the field, so he needs to stay with the best in the hilly stages to play his advantage on Mt Fuji.
Today he loses 6s and is somewhere in between all favourites.
Aramendia wins the first stage for Bianchi, who surely have been the strongest today, while Rapha`s Stannard must be a bit disappointed.
