VINGEGAARD HOLDS OFF THE SPRINTERS
November 9 th 2025 - 19:08 [GMT + 9]
The 11th edition of the Tour de France J:COM Saitama Criterium saw Jonas Vingegaard take victory on Japanese roads. The 2025 Vuelta winner held off a late charge from the sprinters, while Jonathan Milan and Kaden Groves completed the podium.
The double Tour de France winner (2022 and 2023) added his name to the roll of honour of the Japanese event, described as “the 22nd stage of the Tour”, in front of an enthusiastic crowd who turned out in large numbers despite the rain that soaked the urban circuit on the outskirts of Tokyo.
The points classification was dominated by Jonathan Milan, who also claimed the best young rider prize, while Valentin Paret-Peintre secured the mountains classification. Very active in the finale, Primoz Roglic was awarded the most combative rider prize. He also helped his team, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, to win the team classification.
VINGEGAARD GOES IT ALONE
When it’s not hosting concerts by the world’s biggest stars or Olympic events, the Saitama Super Arena is the host to the Tour de France J:COM Saitama Criterium. After a dry week, rain made an appearance therefore riders and spectators alike were happy to take shelter in the massive Arena before heading out on the course. The day began with a friendly “Family Ride”, allowing professional riders to mingle with the public for a lap of the circuit. Amateur cyclists, including several paracyclists, then took to the course for an individual time trial, preceding the professional event, where riders competed in teams of three. The time trial was won by Lidl-Trek, thanks to their trio of Jonathan Milan, Hector Alvarez, and Edward Theuns.
In front of a lively crowd, the Criterium then set off from the Super Arena for a 3.5 km circuit through the streets of Saitama, to be completed 17 times. Once the official start was given, the first attacks came quickly, with the Japanese teams taking an early advantage and launching a breakaway that Valentin Paret-Peintre was keen not to miss. The Mont Ventoux stage winner from earlier this summer wanted to show he still had plenty of strength left, aiming for the King of the Mountains points, before Dorian Godon, his temporary teammate in a one-off Team France created for the occasion, took over to defend the lead. Similarly, Jonathan Milan had to push hard with his two teammates to contest the intermediate sprints between attacks.
In the final laps, a powerful breakaway finally formed, consisting of Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic, Tim Wellens, and Jonas Abrahamsen, all stage winners on the Tour de France. The quartet soon became a duo of Roglic and Vingegaard, which turned into a solo as the two-time Tour winner (2022 and 2023) broke away from his former teammate on the final lap. The Dane rode to victory, holding off the returning sprinters. Behind him, Jonathan Milan and his striking green jersey had to settle for second place, ahead of Kaden Groves. The riders now wrap up their season and can look forward to rest, while dreaming of Barcelona, where the Grand Départ of the 2026 Tour de France will take place.
Yukiya Arashiro: “I hope to inspire young Japanese riders”
As the guest of honour at the 11th Tour de France J:COM Saitama Criterium finishing 9th Yukiya Arashiro has taken part in every edition since the event’s creation in 2013 — the year that marked the 100th Tour de France. The Japanese rider is therefore the perfect person to speak about the growing enthusiasm for cycling in the Land of the Rising Sun. “The Tour de France J:COM Saitama Criterium has become an institution, and Japanese fans look forward to it every year with great excitement. They watch the Tour de France live every summer, so for them, this is a fantastic opportunity to see the riders in person.”
While Japanese fans love watching races, they are far from being just spectators. More and more amateur cyclists are taking to the roads across the country. “There are a lot of cyclists in Japan. Many amateur events have been created. For example, the Suzuka circuit hosts several races, including a six-hour endurance event. Mount Fuji also has its own climbing race, the Fuji Hill Climb.”
For the Team Solution Tech – Vini Fantini rider, it’s also a special chance to perform in front of his home crowd, who turn up year after year. “Every year, thousands of spectators come to watch the race. I’m really happy to ride in Japan; usually, I only race in Europe, so it’s great to do it in front of Japanese fans.”
The former Bahrain Victorious rider also uses the event as an opportunity to connect with young fans and inspire the next generation — as he remains the last Japanese rider to have competed in the Tour de France. “My last Tour was in 2017, and since then, there haven’t been any Japanese riders in the peloton. I hope to inspire young riders so that one day they can reach this level and take part in the Tour de France.”
