Japan’s Nakajima wins T-Cup 2018

Tuesday, 8 May 2018 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Madushka Balasuriya

The second annual T-Cup, Sri Lanka’s first UCI-sanctioned cross country cycling event, successfully concluded on Sunday (6 May) with Yasuharu Nakajima of Japan’s KINAN Cycling (KIN) emerging victorious after three rigorous days of racing.

The result was a close fought affair, with Nakajima holding off Stepan Astafyev of Kazakhstan’s Team Vino-Astana Motors (VAM) by just one second to clinch the coveted yellow jersey in a time of 7 hours 45 minutes and 3 seconds (7:45:03). Team UKYO (UKO) Yoshimitsu Hiratsuka, also of Japan came in third (7:45:19).

Team VAM’s Astafyev however would not be denied the Green Jersey, recording the highest number of points during the race (35) to pip Nakajima (34) to top spot. Julien Amadori of Team France Defence (TFD) came away with the Red Polka Dot Jersey after triumphing in the King of the Mountain challenge, given out to the faster rider on the climbing sections of the event.

Meanwhile, Ramesh Viran Appuhamy of Sri Lanka National Team (SRI) was the highest finishing local cyclist coming in 30th place out 57 riders, in the process taking home the Blue Jersey.

In the overall team standings, the Sri Lanka President’s Team (SLP) and Team SRI both leapt two spots in the third and final stage on Sunday to finish 10th and 11th respectively, while Team VAM topped the overall rankings taking home prize money to the tune of $ 6400.

The race began on 4 May at the Passi Villa Hotel in Pasikudah, where riders raced to Mahiyangana. Day 2 saw competitors make their way to Kandy, before setting off to Negombo on the third and final leg of the race on Sunday.

Pix courtesy Lanka Sportsreizen

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