Soudal Quick-Step to the Japan Cup

Our squad brings its 22nd season to a conclusion this weekend.

One of the most important races on the Asian continent, the Japan Cup will run its 31st edition this Sunday, when the riders will take on a 144.2km course around Utsunomiya, the host of the 1990 World Championships. The main difficulty will once again be the challenging Mt. Kogashi climb, which the riders are set to tackle a total of 14 times, the last of these ascents coming just ten kilometers from the line.

For Soudal Quick-Step, it will be the final appearance of the season in a UCI race, and our team will be keen on making the most out of it. Antoine Huby, former Belgian Champion Yves Lampaert, Fausto Masnada, Pieter Serry, Ilan Van Wilder and Mauri Vansevenant are the six riders who will be in action for the Wolfpack at the Japan Cup.

“We are excited to be at the start of this race. It’s going to be a packed weekend, with the criterium on Saturday and the race just twenty-four hours later. It’s been a long season, but we are still motivated to show the team’s colors and determination of always going for a good result, no matter the race. The boys are happy to be here and we are sure it will be a beautiful experience for them before calling it a season”, said sports director Wilfried Peeters.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images