Italian Marco Canola sprinted to victory in a rain-soaked Japan Cup on Sunday to post his sixth victory of the season.
The Nippo-Vini Fantini rider, who took first place in the criterium a day earlier, produced another strong finish in the road race as typhoon rains lashed the course in Utsunomiya north of Tokyo.
Spain’s Benjamin Prades (Team UKYO) finished second, with Japan’s Takeaki Amezawa (Utsunomiya Blitzen) rounding out the podium.
“This win has a big value for the team,” said Canola.
“Our team is Italian-Japanese and this is the best gift we can do to our sponsor and to our fans.”
Leading results:
1. Marco Canola (ITA) Nippo-Vini Fantini
2. Benjamin Prades (ESP) Team UKYO
3. Takeaki Amezawa (JPN) Utsunomiya Blitzen
4. Antwan Tolhoek (NED) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
5. Thomas Lebas (FRA) Kinan Cycling Team
6. Japser Stuyven (BEL) Trek-Segafredo
7. Benjamin Hill (AUS) Attaque Team Gusto
8. Enrico Battaglin (ITA) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
9. Danilo Wyss (SUI) BMC Racing Team
10. Yusuke Hatanaka (JPN) Team UKYO
– Agence France-Presse
