Tour of Japan -- Stage 7
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May 23rd, by Paul Rowlands for team Rapha Condor Sharp
The final day of the 2010 Tour of Japan, and as befits a National tour, the week long stage race finished with a stage in the capital city Tokyo today where the bunch tackled a 112 kilometre circuit race around the city. In stark contrast to the previous day, there was torrential rain throughout the stage, largely neutralising the race as the conditions encouraged the bunch to remain largely as one homogenous mass of spray and grey throughout.
The Duke, Dean Windsor, fights his way back to the race after a mechanical adjustment.
Many riders tried their hand at escaping throughout the stage but no group gained more than a 10 second lead and life in the team car was only briefly enlivened by a mechanical problem for Dean Windsor after 25km. After a quick tweak with an allen key to adjust his saddle, he wasted no time working his way back up through the convoy with the assistance of team director John Herety.
It wasn’t until 75km into the stage that a breakaway attempt looked seriously like forging a lead over the main bunch and unsurprisingly amongst the group of five riders were two from Rapha Condor Sharp in the shape of Dean Downing and Kristian House. At one point, their lead reached 30 seconds and as the bell rang with 1 lap to go, there was still the slim hope that they might stay away. However as the bunch reached the hairpin turn at the end of the long finish straight, it was ‘gruppo compatto’ once again and a bunch sprint now the only likely outcome.
With four criterium specialists in the race, this was an ideal opportunity for Rapha Condor Sharp to test their leadout train in advance of the forthcoming Tour Series races and the team didn’t disappoint as Zak Dempster popped up to take third place on this rain soaked stage. A fitting end to a memorable and successful race for Rapha Condor Sharp.
Zak Demspter all smiles after the final stage and a podium place
Farewell Japan and hello Britain for Rapha Condor Sharp
