' RACE SCHEDULE ' ' OUTLINE OF THE RACE ' ' RACE REGULATIONS & AWARD SYSTEM ' ' TEAMS ' ' OFFICIALS ' ' SPONSORS '

< ABOUT TOUR OF JAPAN >

This race succeeds the International Cycle Road Race, which had been held 14 times from 1982 to 1995. Last year, this race was officially recognized by the UCI as a National Stage Race to represent each country. With this change in status, the name of the race was changed to the "Tour of Japan" and its scale enlarged accordingly. This race is the second round under the new name. The Tour of Japan belongs to the "2-4" race category. This race is rated as the highest class stage race not only in Japan but in all of Asia. As with all races in this category, half of the participants must be Trade Teams. There are a total of 15 teams and 90 athletes competing in this race. 6 Trade Teams from all around the world, including "Big Mat" (world ranking 30th, 1997) from France, 2 National Teams (Korea and Hong Kong), 6 Japanese Club Teams, and the first Japanese Trade Team, "Ezak", will be competing this year. The Stage Race is a road race from town to town, continuing to the next town. The position of the riders will be determined by the total time of each stage. Unless the rider completes all stages, he will not be qualified to obtain the final position. Participation is on a "Team" basis. "Team Play" becomes an important factor in leading a team's ace rider to the honors platform. The "Tour de France" is the summit of cycle racing in the world, and the popularity of Cycle Sports becomes bigger every year. And as one of the prestigious National Stage Races, the World's top athletes are paying great deal of attention to this year's Tour of Japan. Through the Internet, we hope that many sports fans will enjoy this great battle of the World top-class riders.

< OUTLINE OF THE RACE >

ORGANIZERS	Cycle Month Promotion Council The Asahi Shimbun The Nikkan Sports News
SUPERVISOR	Tour of Japan Organizing Committee (Secretariat：Bicycling Association of Japan)
RACE SUPERVISOR	Japan Cycling Federation
SUPPORTED BY	Management and Coordination Agency Environmental Agency Ministry of Education Ministry of International Trade & Industry Ministry of Transportation Ministry of Construction Ministry of Home Affairs Japan Keirin Association
COOPERATION	Fuji International Speedway Corp. Japan Cycle Sports Center Suzuka Circuit Land Co., Ltd.

' RACE SCHEDULE ' ' OUTLINE OF THE RACE ' ' RACE REGULATIONS & AWARD SYSTEM ' ' TEAMS ' ' OFFICIALS ' ' SPONSORS '

< Phones for Inquiries >

Tour of Japan Organizing Committee
TEL 0 3 - 3 5 8 6 - 6 2 3 0