2012 Tour of Japan stage 5: Izu
Sure, Friday s stage up Fujisan was steep, but today s 146.4 kilometer course was thirteen times longer with three times more elevation gain. Tour of Japan s fifth stage took place in a bicycle theme park sequestered in 1.68 million square meters of natural surroundings , otherwise known as Izu s Japan Cycle Sports Center.
The magnificent Wong Kam Po didn t provide the only highlight of stage five; second and third placings by China s Jiao Peng Da and Xu Gang underscored cycling s progress on the mainland.
While the peloton was being blown apart over the extremely technical and hilly circuit, Cycling iQ was out riding. Only after returning home was it revealed that Asia s (if we put aside Kazakhstan s Alexander Vinokourov for a second), most famous cyclist, Wong Kam Po, had added yet another victory to his extensive palmar s. [Note: after missing the entire stage and spending the rest of the day out, I m not going to try to bluff my way through a race report]
The current Asian Road Cycling Champion from Hong Kong is a phenomenon. Notable figures inside the world of professional cycling have openly wondered why Wong never made it to the Tour de France, or indeed settled in Europe permanently. People close to Wong have told Cycling iQ that the Hong Kong government always beat any offer from European professional cycling teams; such was Wong s importance to the country s Olympic and national cycling program. In a 2002 New York Times interview, then-28 year old Wong told cycling writer Samuel Abt that he was not ready to turn pro.
My strength is climbing, and that s what European teams are interested in, my climbing ability. But I want to make sure a pro team will let me play to my strength as far as training goes and the kind of races they allow me to do.
I don t want to join just any European team but one that understands who I am as a rider, specifically a climber. If I joined a pro team now, it might insist I produce results immediately. I feel I still have weaknesses, and in Hong Kong I m allowed to work on them.
I have a lot of support now for my training. How do I know a pro team will give me the same level of support? How do I know there won t be too much pressure to produce immediately? Of course I want to be on a pro team, but these questions are more important than my desire to turn pro.
We can look back and see that it never happened. Whatever the reason, Europe s loss is Asia s gain. However, for long-time fans of Wong Kam Po (of which I am one), every victory is tinged with a sadness that this star of cycling did not light up the Pyrenees or Alps in the World s Greatest Bike Race .
TODAY S COURSE
WHILE SOMEONE WAS OUT RIDING
Nah mate, your sunglasses are supposed to go OVER your helmet straps . Pat Shaw (Genesys Wealth Advisers) and Fortunato Baliani (Team Nippo) trading style tips at the start line?
The 12.2 kilometer circuit took place on the grounds of the Japan Cycle Sports Centre in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture also home to Japan s famous Keirin School.
Will Clarke (Champion System Pro Cycling Team) must have been pleased with his teammates performance on the road today
Lots of twists
turns, and hills.
The final selection; from which Wong Kam Po and Yeung Ying Hon (both Hong Kong National Team), Jiao Peng Da and Xu Gang (both Champion System Pro Cycling Team) and Blaise Sonnery (Bridgestone Anchor) escaped
I couldn t work out why Baliani seems to have a penchant for sticking his tongue out. Perhaps it s embedded with microscopic solar panels which are hard-wired to charge the mitochondria in his legs. Or maybe he just likes to stick his tongue out
LEADERBOARD Individual General Classification (Green jersey): Fortunato Baliani (Team Nippo) Points Classification (Blue jersey): Mariusz Wiesiak (Matrix Powertag) King of the Mountains Classification (Red jersey): Juli n Arredondo Moreno (Team Nippo)
Teams General Classification: Team Nippo
STAGE 5 RESULTS
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE FIVE
