ツアー・オブ・ジャパン 2026

Nicolò Garibbo (TEAM UKYO) Wins Uphill Sprint Using Lessons Learned Last Year

Stage 3 of the Tour of Japan took place in Inabe City, Mie Prefecture. The race started in front of Ageki Station, the terminal station of the Sangi Railway Hokusei Line, before covering a 3.1km parade section and eight laps of the 14.8km Inabe Baien Park circuit for a total distance of 127.0km. The steep climb known as “Inaberg,” famous as the key point of the Inabe Stage.

Unlike last year’s stage, where constant attacks repeatedly changed the race situation, an early breakaway was established already on the opening lap. The five riders in the move were Tetsuo Yamamoto (TEAM UKYO), Tilen FINKŠT (Solution Tech NIPPO), Nils Sinschek (Li Ning Star), Genki Yamamoto (KINAN Racing Team), and Francesco Carollo (Swatt Club).

At the first KOM point of the day, Genki Yamamoto crossed first, showing strong motivation to compete for the KOM classification on his home stage.

The five escapees extended their advantage to 2 minutes and 21 seconds with six laps remaining, but the peloton, led mainly by Terengganu Cycling Team, gradually increased the pace and began reducing the gap.

At the second KOM point with 4 laps to go, Carollo beat Genki Yamamoto to the line. Thanks to this effort, Swatt Club successfully defended Giacomo Garavaglia’s red jersey.

Soon after, Genki Yamamoto lost contact, while Tetsuo Yamamoto also dropped back due to a mechanical problem. The peloton continued to raise the pace heading into the final lap and closed in on the remaining 3 leaders.

On the final ascent of Inaberg, TEAM UKYO launched a strong acceleration. Nicolo Garibbo attacked, passed all remaining breakaway riders, and crested the climb in first position.

After the descent, 11-rider front group briefly formed, but hesitation among the GC contenders allowed the chasing group to return. The stage was ultimately decided by a sprint from a reduced group of around 30 riders.

Overall leader Tommaso Dati (TEAM UKYO), who speak of it as the importance of a team victory, led out teammates Federico Iacomoni and Garibbo until 200 meters to go. Having raced the stage last year, Garibbo knew the ideal timing for the final sprint. He launched his effort with 150 meters remaining and nobody could come around him on the uphill finish. After finishing third here last year, Garibbo used that experience to claim victory in this year’s Inabe Stage.

Dati successfully defended the green jersey as overall leader. Benjami Prades Reverter (VC Fukuoka), who had also finished second on the Kyoto Stage, again placed second and moved into the lead of the points classification to take the blue jersey. There were no changes in the mountains or young rider classifications.

Stage Winner Comment　Nicolo Garibbo (TEAM UKYO):
“It was not decided from the beginning that I would go for the stage win myself. Yamamoto joined the breakaway, but he suffered a mechanical issue on the climb with two laps to go, so we had to reorganize as a team. On the final two climbs, Iacomoni and I attacked together, but when we could not stay away, we prepared for the sprint instead.
I told Dati and Iacomoni that I felt good and wanted to sprint. Since Iacomoni also still had good legs, we decided to go for it together. I raced here last year, so I knew it would be difficult to pass riders after the final corner. That is why I launched my sprint a little earlier, and it worked perfectly.”

Green Jersey Comment　Tommaso Dati (TEAM UKYO):
“Today I tried to work for the team, and I am happy we achieved that goal. I have already won at this TOJ and also won other races this season, so it is good to see my teammates winning too. We are not completely prepared yet for the team time trial, but the team is in very good condition, so we will do our best.”

Blue Jersey Comment　Benjami Prades Reverter (VC Fukuoka):
“Today we aimed for a sprint from a small group, and that is exactly how it happened. I wanted to win, but there was one rider faster than me. My legs felt good, but I started my sprint slightly too late. My main objective in this race is a stage victory, but I also remember losing this points jersey in Tokyo last year, so I want to keep it this time.”

Red Jersey Comment　Giacomo Garavaglia (Swatt Club):
“I tried to get into the breakaway again today to defend the mountains jersey, but I could not make it. Fortunately, my teammate Carollo was in the move and collected enough points to help us keep the jersey. Today I focused on the sprint and finished in the top ten, which is a good result after yesterday’s breakaway effort. I will continue fighting to keep this jersey all the way to Tokyo.”

White Jersey Comment　Will Heath (CCACHE X Bodywrap):
“It was another very hard day today. Especially on the final lap, there were many splits in the peloton and it was really difficult. I hope my condition stays good for the rest of the race. The Mt. Fuji stage suited me well last year, so I want to keep wearing the white jersey until Tokyo.”

Stage 3 – Inabe Stage Results
1. Nicolo Garibbo (TEAM UKYO) – 3:03:00 
2. Benjami Prades Reverter (VC Fukuoka) – +0s 
3. Oscar Gallagher (CCACHE X Bodywrap) – +0s 

General Classification (Green Jersey)
1.Tommaso Dati (TEAM UKYO) – 5:44:53 
2. Benjami Prades Reverter (VC Fukuoka) – +10s 
3. Federico Iacomoni (TEAM UKYO) – +10s 

Points Classification (Blue Jersey)
1.Benjami Prades Reverter (VC Fukuoka) – 40 pts 
2.Tommaso Dati (TEAM UKYO) – 36 pts 
3. Nicolo Garibbo (TEAM UKYO) – 26 pts 

Mountains Classification (Red Jersey)
1.Giacomo Garavaglia (Swatt Club) – 10 pts 
2. Genki Yamamoto (KINAN Racing Team) – 9 pts 
3.Francesco Carollo (Swatt Club) – 8 pts 

Young Rider Classification (White Jersey)
1.Will Heath (CCACHE X Bodywrap) 
2.Masao Shimazaki (Japan National Team) 
3.Oscar Gallagher (CCACHE X Bodywrap) 

RTA Award
Masao Shimazaki (Japan National Team)