Japanese team to participate in tour de france in 2010

TOKYO: Japanese cyclists supported by several sponsors have set their sights on becoming the first team from the country to take part in the Tour de France in 2010.

The team’s ultimate objective is to become an UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) pro team and then take part in the prestigious Tour de France in 2010. Before that, it aims to get promoted as an UCI continental pro team by 2007, and to compete in the Vuelta Espana (Tour of Spain) by 2008 as well as in the Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) by 2009.

Most of the riders come from the Team Bridgestone-Anchor.
The team left for France last week to start competing in races there.