Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for Utsunomiya Japan Cup Road Race 2025

The season is coming to an end. After ten thrilling months, this Sunday marks the definitive conclusion of the road cycling season, with a day that will feature up to four races. In China, the final stage of the Tour of Guangxi (men) and the Tour of Guangxi Women’s WorldTour will take place, while in Italy the Veneto Classic will be held. But this Sunday the 19th is also the date of the Utsunomiya Japan Cup Road Race, a UCI ProSeries event and the most prestigious race in Japan.

In this article, we take a look at this exciting race, which will be the last preview of the road cycling season that we publish.

 
Route

This race features one of the most unchanging routes on the entire calendar. The event takes place entirely on the circuit that hosted the 1990 World Championships, located in Utsunomiya Forest Park. The circuit measures just over 10 kilometers and includes the climb to Kogashiyama (4.7 km at 3.4%). Riders must complete 14 laps, totaling 144 km and 2,530 meters of accumulated elevation gain.

 
Favorites

Lenny Martínez (800), Mathias Vacek (600), Alex Baudin (400), Ion Izagirre (200), Afonso Euládio (200), Riley Sheehan (200), and Louis Barré (400) are among the top favorites. Also on the start list are Jonathan Milan (1200) and Michael Matthews (400), but the repetition of the climb 14 times may prove too much for them.

 
Photo: © Makoto Ayano / Utsunomiya Japan Cup Road Race