TOJ's Inaugural Kyoto Stage (Kyotanabe City and Seika-cho, both in Kyoto Prefecture)

"Tour of Japan (TOJ)," Japan's largest international cycle road race sponsored by Cycle Month Promotion Council, took place on May 30 through the hills spanning from Kyotanabe City to Seika-cho, both in Kyoto Prefecture. The Kyoto Stage was held for the first time. A total of 94 participants in 16 teams from Japan and abroad pedaled powerfully through the up-and-down circuit course.

With the shot of the signal gun at 9:55 a.m., all the participants set off in unison from Fugenji Elementary School. The leading group used various tactics repeatedly, challenging the course which was 105-kilometers with the greatest height difference being 188 meters.

The previous day's rain had let up, and there were many local residents and spectators cheering along the roadsides.

Kicking off with the Sakai Stage held in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, on May 29, TOJ continues over eight successive races at various venues until June 5. A "General Individual Classification by Time" prize will be awarded to the individual rider with the shortest total time.