10/6 Kokura Criterium Race Report
Kokura Castle Criterium
A day before the Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2023 kicked off, we witnessed an exhilarating event – the Kokura Castle Criterium. Set against the backdrop of the historic Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, this special race saw Naoki Kojima from Team Bridgestone Cycling clinch the victory.
The Kokura Castle Criterium, consisting of 25 laps covering a 1.79 km course spanning 45 km, kicked off at 13:30. Despite being a weekday, a lively crowd of spectators lined the streets, adding to the festive atmosphere as the riders embarked on this inaugural event.
The ribbon was cut by Koichi Nakano (left), a former professional track cyclist and ten-consecutive-time world champion in track cycling from Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Seitaro Hattori, Kyushu Economic Federation Chairman Sumio Kuratomi, Kitakyushu City Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi, and Chairman of the Kitakyushu City Council Tsuneo Tanaka.
The race was intense from the beginning, with attacks flying in and out, but no decisive breakaway was made, with Benjami Prades-Reverte (JCL TEAM UKYO) winning the sprint point on Lap 5, Daiki Magosaki (Kinan Racing Team) on Lap 10, and Atsushi Oka (JCL TEAM UKYO) on Laps 15 and 20. Atsushi Oka (JCL TEAM UKYO) won the 15th and 20th laps, respectively.
Toward the end of the race, Team Bridgestone Cycling and Bolton Equities Black Spoke controlled the main group. Naoki Kojima of Team Bridgestone Cycling took the lead on the final lap to win the race, with Kazushige Kuboki of the same team coming in second to complete the one-two finish.
Evgeny Gidic of Astana Kazakstan, the world’s top category World Team, came in third.
Naoki Kojima completed the race in 59:00, with an impressive average speed of 45.7 km/h.
Kokura Castle Criterium Results
1st Naoki Kojima (Team Bridgestone Cycling) 59:00.00
2nd Kazushige Kuboki (Team Bridgestone Cycling) 59:00.00
3rd Evgeny Gidic (Astana Kazakstan) 59:00.00
Comment from the winner, Naoki Kojima
“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to race in such a great location. The first part of the race was tough, but in the second half I was able to carry the race well. I will do my best in Fukuoka tomorrow as the race will pass through my hometown, Miyama City.”
5th Lap Leader Award
Benjami Prades-Reverte (JCL TEAM UKYO)
I am a little tired. But I saw a lot of smiling faces along the roadside, so I felt good.
10th Lap Leader Award
Hiroki Magozaki (Kinan Racing Team)
It was a great course and a very pleasant race. The race went as expected and I was able to race in front.”
15th Lap Leader Award
Atsushi Oka (JCL TEAM UKYO)
20th Lap Leader Award
Atsushi Oka (JCL TEAM UKYO)
Atsushi Oka (JCL TEAM UKYO) “The Kokura Castle is the home turf of our team sponsor, Zenrin. I wanted to run a good race and stand out at any cost. Today’s race was good preparation for tomorrow.”
On the following day, October 7 (Sat), we look forward to Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2023 Stage 1, spanning a distance of 144.01 km from the Kitakyushu Media Dome to Shin-Omuta Station. Join us for more thrilling action!
