🇯🇵 JAPAN CUP: A LITTLE HISTORY, A LOT TO WATCH The Japan Cup is one of those races I probably wouldn't have paid much attention to a year ago. Now it's another chance to follow some familiar names as the road season winds down. A little 🇺🇸history about the race first: the inaugural race in 1992 saw American Bart Bowen finish 2nd. Neilson Powless won in 2022 AND 2024. Riley Sheehan finished 6th last year. This year's race is in Utsunomiya, Japan, and the start list has plenty of quality. A few names to watch: Mauro Schmid, Michael Matthews, Ben Healy, Lennert Van Eetvelt, Antonia Tiberi and... 🇺🇸 Quinn Simmons! Who has been getting a lot of love on here from Japanese fans. And there's an extra American storyline this year: Quinn' brother Colby Simmons is riding as well. Last year's winner Lenny Martinez won't be defending his title, leaving the door open for a new name on the trophy. And on a personal note, I'm excited for some of the people I've gotten to know and follow on here — @halup9, @Fumybeppu and @Den95504207 — to have this race in their home country! 🇯🇵 I'll be keeping an eye on their accounts to follow the action from Japan. It's one of the things I love about cycling: following a sport across the world and getting to know some of the people who make it special. #JapanCup