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Marco Canola wins Japan Cup road race

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Prades second, Amezawa third

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Marco Canola wins the Japan Cup

Marco Canola wins the Japan Cup (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Celebrations for the Nippo-Vini Fantini team

Celebrations for the Nippo-Vini Fantini team (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola does the double

Marco Canola does the double (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The breakaway group

The breakaway group (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola atop the podium

Marco Canola atop the podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The podium

The podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Celebrations on the podium

Celebrations on the podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The riders take on a climb

The riders take on a climb (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Local lad Fumiyuki Beppu

Local lad Fumiyuki Beppu (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The early phases of the race

The early phases of the race (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The bunch

The bunch (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Raincapes were essential

Raincapes were essential (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The riders on the wet roads around Utsunomiya

The riders on the wet roads around Utsunomiya (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Cannondale-Drapac lead the way

Cannondale-Drapac lead the way (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Jasper Stuyven sprints for the line

Jasper Stuyven sprints for the line (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola on the podium

Marco Canola on the podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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It was another wet day in the saddle

It was another wet day in the saddle (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola surging clear

Marco Canola surging clear (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola looks back to make sure

Marco Canola looks back to make sure (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola sits up and celebrates

Marco Canola sits up and celebrates (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola sits up and celebrates

Marco Canola sits up and celebrates (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The rest of the riders cross the line

The rest of the riders cross the line (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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Marco Canola on the podium

Marco Canola on the podium (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The top three

The top three (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
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The peloton making its way through the woods

The peloton making its way through the woods (Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

Marco Canola (Nippo-Vini Fantini) became the first rider to win both the criterium and the road race at the Japan Cup, sprinting to victory in the main event on Sunday after announcing himself as a favourite on the Saturday. 

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The Italian skipped away from the field with a long-range sprint in the criterium, and he once again showcased his finishing speed in the wet conditions in Utsunomiya to win the 1.HC race by a convincing margin.

Benjamin Prades (Team UKYO) finished second, while Takeaki Amezawa (Utsunomiya Blitzen) rounded out the podium. 

The victory is the sixth of the season for Canola, who has contributed half of his team's win count for the 2017 season. This one, however, was the most important of the lot, not least because the team is an Italian-Japanese blend with a local sponsor in Nippo. 

“I’m so happy for this victory, which has such a big value for the team and for me," said Canola.

"Our team is Italian-Japanese and this is the best gift we can do to our sponsor and to our fans for the trust they give us everyday. I want to dedicate this victory to all our sponsors, today here also from Italy, and to my mother that was sick and I know that for sure I give her a big satisfaction."

Brief Results

#Rider Name (Country) Team
1Marco Canola (Ita) Nippo-Vini Fantini
2Benjamin Prades (Por) Team UKYO
3Takeaki Amezawa (Jap) Utsunomiya Blitzen
4Antwan Tolhoek (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
5Thomas Lebas (Fra) Kinan Cycling Team
6Japser Stuyven (Bel) Trek-Segafredo
7Benjamin Hill (Aus) Attaque Team Gusto
8Enrico Battaglin (Ita) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
9Danilo Wyss (Swi) BMC Racing Team
10Yusuke Hatanaka (Jap) Team UKYO

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