Utsunomiya > Utsunomiya 140km

The 33^rd edition of the Japan Cup, it’s a very hard way to end your season. 14 laps of a circuit which features a punchy climb, this is usually a very selective race. 

Weather

20 degrees, cloudy sun and not much wind.

Lap Circuit

The hill is 1.1km at 8.5%, 14 ascents is going to hurt!

Tactics

Bahrain and Lidl-Trek only have 4 riders each, EF, Lotto, Jayco, TotalEnergies and Cofidis all have 6. The teams with the numbers will try and put pressure on Tiberi and Simmons, that much is clear. I would expect the race to open up fairly early, a group featuring the big teams will escape and then fight out the victory. Whoever has multiple riders at the front should really be taking the win, if it ends up being one from each team, then it’s all to do with who has the legs. 

The presence of Simmons and Healy should be a concern, this pair love taking chunks out everyone else, they’ll be riding an aggressive race. Faster finishers like Matthews and Berckmoes can survive and sprint for the win, but it’ll take a huge effort from them to cope with the constant attacks from the climbers. 

Contenders

EF – Healy is their standout rider, but Valgren and Nerurkar could be used as attacking options. Healy has enjoyed a fine run of form, but he’s not won a race yet this year, something he’ll be determined to put right here. He’ll make this a very hard day in the saddle; we’ll see if anyone can go with him.

Jayco – Matthews and Schmid should be their main men. Schmid has had a brilliant season; he should enjoy this lap circuit. Bling is another rider who’s enjoying a fine run of form, but it won’t be easy for him to survive with the best climbers.

Lotto – three excellent options in Berckmoes, Gualdi and Van Eetvelt. Berckmoes should love the punchy climb, Gualdi has put together a consistent run of results and Van Eetvelt won Tour de Slovaquie not that long ago. It doesn’t happen very often, but Lotto have the strongest team in the race.

TotalEnergies – another team with multiple options, they’ve got Delettre, Jegat and Breuillard. I doubt any of these guys can win, but the top 5 is possible for Delettre.

Antonio Tiberi – not at his best just now, but he’ll give it a go.

Sam Maisonobe – 4^th in the CRO race and 5^th in Coppa Agostoni, he’s in good form. The big teams better watch, they cannot underestimate him.

Prediction Time

I’ll go with Ben Healy.

Betting Corner

I’m not having Simmons as the favourite due to only having three teammates, I’d take the 4/1 on Healy.

2027 Previews

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