Race Ambassador

Born: January 8, 1969
Hometown: Kyoto, Japan

A former professional road cyclist, he has served as a Niseko Classic Ambassador since 2017.

In 1999, he became the first Japanese cyclist to compete in the Tour of Flanders. The following year, in 2000, he participated in major World Cup races, including Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Gent–Wevelgem, La Flèche Wallonne, and GP Plouay.

He competed in Europe until 2002, spending nine seasons as a professional (eight years under contract with pro teams). Throughout his career, he raced in over 700 professional races and more than 1,000 races in total, achieving approximately 200 top finishes.

In 2015, he became the first Japanese rider to finish in the lead group of the prestigious "Paris–Brest–Paris" (1,200 km), completing the race in 43 hours and 23 minutes.

Beyond racing, he has been an active cycling commentator for J SPORTS since 2003, offering expert insights, especially in Belgian races, where he lived for a decade, leveraging his deep knowledge of the local terrain.

Race Achievements:

Tour de Okinawa Citizen 200 – 7-time champion

2023 JBCF Elite Tour – Champion

2023 All Japan Road Championships MM40 – Champion

2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships (M45-49) – Champion

Personal Statement:

Since my first participation in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in 2017, my lifelong goal has been to win the title. In 2024, I finally achieved that dream. Standing on the podium as Japan’s national flag was raised and hearing the national anthem was an incredibly emotional moment for me.

Although road racing is traditionally dominated by European countries, my victory in the Gran Fondo proves that Japanese riders can compete at the highest levels in amateur cycling. However, I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg, and the world has yet to recognize the full potential of Japanese amateur racers.

The upcoming 2026 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Niseko presents a golden opportunity to showcase Japan’s cycling talent to the world.

Looking back, the 1990 UCI Road World Championships in Utsunomiya was a turning point for Japanese cycling. The Japan Cup, now held annually in Utsunomiya, was born from that historic event. Similarly, I am convinced that the 2026 Niseko World Championships will become a defining moment for Japan’s amateur road racing scene. It is up to us to ensure that this event leaves a lasting impact.

A World Championship on home soil is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After achieving my major goal last year, I spent time cycling through Denmark, reflecting on what comes next. My new goal is set: Niseko 2026.

I will strive to become a two-time World Champion, but more importantly, I hope to see as many Japanese riders as possible on the podium. If this event can ignite passion in the cycling community and help Japan produce more World Champions, it will be a victory for us all.

With the key theme of "Connecting and Sharing to Energize Niseko 2026", Project N26 has been launched, led by Roppongi Express LLC, with Ryohiro Takaoka as its representative.

Niseko Classic is fully committed to supporting this project as we prepare for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 2026.

For more details about the activities, please refer to the document linked below.

Born: July 11, 1969
Hometown: Hokkaido, Japan (Currently residing in Hokkaido)

Athlete (Affiliated with MOPS)

Starting alpine skiing in elementary school, she competed in the Inter-High School Sports Festival and later joined the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Winter Training Unit (now the Self-Defense Forces Sports School). After gaining experience in biathlon and other sports, she now competes in a variety of events, including cycling, duathlon, and cross-country skiing.

2024 Niseko Classic Women's Overall Champion.

Personal Statement:

I am excited to race alongside many participants at the 2025 Niseko Classic and help promote the event as we gear up for the 2026 Gran Fondo World Championships.