Edward Theuns wins Japan Cup Criterium

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Japan Cup 2019 — Edward Theuns wins the Japan Cup Criterium (Image credit: Getty Images)

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Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) came out on top in a close sprint to win the Japan Cup Criterium on Saturday. The Belgian sprinter won ahead of Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida), with Brenton Jones (Team Delko) in third. The Japan Cup Criterium takes place a day ahead of the Japan Cup Cycle Road Race.

"It was a really nice criterium with a great atmosphere. There were a lot of people. From the beginning we rode really well at the front as a team. There were some attacks but we always had our teammates on the front and closing them down," Theuns said at the finish.

"In the last few laps I was always focused on Colbrelli’s wheel and in the last corner Fumiyuki came with me and he did a really great leadout until the finish. It was a really close sprint and I had to use a good jump but in the end I’m super happy because the team did a great job. It’s a great win for the team in Japan."

The Japan Cup concludes on Sunday with the men's road race.