Welcome to a custom built Mountain Bike course on the slopes of Mount Fuji, and our first race is the Olympic Invitational. 24 riders from 24 nations.
Who are they, and who will best be able to translate their road attributes to this challenging course?
Sorted by cobbled stat, they are:
FL
MO
HI
CB
BER
C. Richardson
71
61
67
78
AUT
J. Salzmann
73
62
71
77
GRE
G. Karatzios
77
58
71
77
CIV
A. Sanogo
73
61
71
76
JPN
S. Kuroeda
72
63
70
76
MOR
L. Saber
75
62
68
76
CAN
P. Naud
76
62
73
74
CRO
M. Mestric
72
63
69
74
CUB
L. Marcos
74
62
73
74
FIN
J. Kaislavuo
73
65
70
73
MEX
J. Ulloa
69
66
69
73
SEY
A. Arissol
74
66
71
72
HUN
C. Palyi
73
66
71
71
SMR
R. Putti
67
69
71
69
TPE
C. Feng
77
70
72
69
CYP
A. Miltiadis
68
73
73
68
EST
P. Tarvis
76
70
74
68
UGA
S. Ssabagwanya
70
72
75
67
ISL
I. Omarsson
70
71
74
65
THA
N. Liphongyu
68
75
72
65
COL
E. Bernal
70
79
72
64
IRN
A. Moazemi
67
73
78
62
SIN
C. Goh
69
74
76
62
SER
A. Roman
67
77
75
61
Naud is the first to attack
Joining him are Sanogo, Salzmann, Omarsson, Putti, and Saber tries to, but doesn't get out of the group.
Naud certainly applying early pressure. Sanogo copes fine.
Salzmann has already blown though, the slopes are too much for him. Omarsson and Putti come past him.
Tarvis, Mestric, Feng and Bernal are at the front of the chasing pack currently, Tarvis looks to be driving it on
Omarsson and Putti continue to fight to make the front
It's now Richardson, Kaislavuo and Karatzios who are trying to keep them in touch
It's beginning to break apart. Here's Bernal and Ulloa in trouble
And further forwards, Tarvis, Mestric, Salzmann, Marcos and Saber losing contact to the stronger riders
We see that it is Feng and Arissol who have lifted the pace. Richardson, Kaislavuo and Karatzios still there, and they're back to Omarsson now.
Coming to the end of the first lap - which up front Naud seems to have lead for the vast majority. But Putti has caught up, and soon too will Kaislavuo, Feng and Arissol
Six leaders. San Marino, Ivory Coast, Chinese Taipei, Canada, Finland and Seychelles
Over 2 minutes back to Bermuda, Greece and Iceland
A more sedate 2nd lap though - they're all pretty tired already. That gap has definitely gone down!
Into the final 3km, Putti attacks!
Will it be a Putti Party?
Feng tries to make his move
But immediately regrets it. Is Putti struggling too?
Here comes Naud
Naud goes clear! Putti not giving up yet
Can he get back?
Naud does have a stronger downhill though
Patrick Naud takes the victory!
2nd for Putti
Kaislavuo defeats Sanogo to complete the podium
Feng beats Arissol for 5th
Karatzios wins the fight for 7th
Meanwhile Moazemi had ridden clear for a solo 10th
As Roman, Tarvis, Liphongyu, Bernal and Ssabagwanya made it into the Top 15
BER
AUT
GRE
CIV
JPN
MOR
CAN
CRO
CUB
FIN
MEX
SEY
HUN
SMR
TPE
CYP
EST
UGA
ISL
THA
COL
IRN
SIN
SER
