France, Moldova, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Czechia, Slovenia and Denmark with the top billed riders for this road race. Also vying for those Top 6 slots will be the likes of Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Canada and Kazakhstan.
Panama with the first attacker - it's Jurado.
A breakaway of 10 forms.
Canada, Kazakhstan and Mexico are not particular fans of it and do chase hard through the descent and onto the first Mt Fuji climb. Luxembourg are ready for it to come back, with Andy Schleck sat at the front, guarded by Luc Wirtgen, ready to counter-attack for a 2nd breakaway
But in the end it is not needed. as the Canadians lack the firepower to chase all the way up Fuji. They relent.
The break had to work for it though, at one stage reducing to 5, although by the top it would be back to 7.
The 2nd Fuji is uneventful, and through the motor circuit France are happy to take control - they are able to use up the likes of Elissonde and Pinot, a fiine luxury.
The steep Mikuni Pass is likely to be decisive, with two ascents of it. France are on to Latour and Barguil, while Venezuela and Moldova are happy to support with Raileanu and Salinas.
By the top only around 27 riders remain, 12 nationalities.
Reguigui has proved to be strongest of the breakaway, moving away from Zouzou and Arifin over the top
Gidich fancied an attack over the top, through the descent and onto the 2nd Mikuni climb. For his efforts only a 25 second gap, as he passes Zouzou and Arifin
In the end a futile move, he blows up even before reaching Reguigui
Predictably the 2nd Mikuni climb does take it's toll - no attacks, but Pluchkin happy to do some pacesetting himself on there.
And just 15 remain over the top
France have Barguil on his last legs, plus Sicard and Lecuisinier
Venezeula still have both Alarcon and Monsalve
Slovenia have three - Novak, Rogliv, Spilak.
Everybody else is on their own. Pluchkin, Guldhammer, Choi, Hirt, Ranaweera, Reguigui, Kozhatayev.
On the rise before the downhill, Guldhammer attacks
Hirt follows best, with Alarcon and Lecuisinier in between.
Slovenia are on the back foot, all three are gapped, and Sicard is with them
So what happens? The Slovenians bring Sicard back, then Sicard chases down Guldhammer and Hirt.
Sicard then delivers to the group to the finish circuit, where Alarcon attacks! Lecuisinier slow to respond at this stage, with just about 6 nations in front of him
It's trouble for Slovenia, none can hold on
8 riders, 7 nations, all pretty much line astern into the final kilometre.
Monsalve takes it up for Venezuela, but Lecuisinier immediately looks strong
Guldhammer going strong too!
Rasmus Guldhammer takes victory! He beats Lecuisinier, Hirt and Pluchkin!
Choi crosses 6th for Hong Kong, with a Venezuelan either side. 8th will not be enough for Ranaweera.
Nor will the 9th, 10th and 11th places be good enough for the Slovenians.
Gidich recovered from his early efforts to win the battle for 13th from the chasing group. Reguigui (17th), Kirsch (18th), Lemus Davila (19th), Boily (22nd) the first home for their nations.
Other countries without much of a mention today - for Namibia, Seibeb rode to 41st. Miltiadis picked up 60th for Cyprus. And a very weird day for Argentina with all riders underperforming and getting dropped early. Three of the last five finishers, plus two finishing out of the time limits.
