The Kuroeda brothers of Saya and Shiki are their nation's pride on the cobblestones. The national organization wants a brotherly rivalry for the national championship, though Takenouchi is eager to spoil the party.
The third and longest cobblestone sector results in two leaders: Shiki Kuroeda and Takenouchi. Saya Kuroeda is in the next group with Arashiro, Itami and Matsumoto at twenty second. They would catch the front two, and the group behind would also return.
Matsumoto then tried to attack before the final sector but was caught as soon as he entered it, passed by an armada of Rakuten riders. He and Takenouchi and are the only non-Rakuten riders capable of hanging on to their pace at the moment, as Okamoto and Nakane are about to lose contact.
The Kuroeda brothers joined forces on the final sector and rode away, Takenouchi only just able to hang on. The other riders are out of contention, it will be a battle between the expected three.
No such thing as a leadout between the bros, they are considered better sprinters than Takenouchi anyway. Saya on the right side for the camera launching under the flag, can Shiki on the left pass him?
No he can't. Saya Kuroeda is champion of Japan, beating his elder brother Shiki! Takenouchi is third, while Itami wins the sprint for fourth in the losers group.
Shockwaves went through the country when Oba announced he could not defend his title as he hasn't found a team. Perhaps it was an actual earthquake though. Anyway, who will be the new Japanese National Time Trial Champion?
Onodera is the first starter in torrential conditions. Is 1h07'12 the winning time?
Yamamoto is the first starter for Campari/Asahi in their battle against Rakuten. So far, Rakuten comes out on top, as Yamamoto is 1'40 slower.
Ikibe also cannot beat Yamamoto, and is currently third at 2'11.
He is ahead of Nonaka who finishes at 2'40. Rakuten 1-4 with Campari/Asahi sandwiched in between.
Koishi is Campari/Asahi's best bet but he is already 42 seconds down on the first checkpoint. However, Onodera had a shocking final sector, as Koishi manages to get back to 23 seconds to take second place.
Kuboki is the favorite but the same story for him. 52 seconds down on the first checkpoint which comes down towards the end, but he is stuck at 45 seconds in third. Rakuten-Campari/Asahi-Rakuten on the podium.
Rei Onodera is the first at the beginning and first at the end!
Japanese National Road Race Championship 
