Viewing the Mens and Womens Olympic Road Races from Inagi-shi

On Saturday morning, John K., Pieter F., Jerome and I headed out on a well-trodden ride path for Onekansen Doro -- a regular route to the west of town. This time would be different, however, as the Olympic road race course twisted and crossed Onekan a number of times as it headed out of Tokyo and toward the mountains. 

We quickly found a spot along the course on the second very short climb the riders would ascent after the passed the Tamagawa, in the shade, on the edge of a public park. We had been thinking to go further out, but this looked like a perfect spot. And it was. We could relax in the shade for the hour or so until the race would start at 11AM. Actually, the riders would start to roll at 11AM but it was a lengthy neutralized start, and it was only 20 minutes later than they actually crossed the river. There were caravans of vehicles -- crews headed to man the feeding zones up the road,  VIPs, etc. A few minutes later, a small breakaway group passed us. Then soon thereafter was the Peleton, Belgian and Slovenian riders prominent in the front row. Faster than the "parade" of the neutralized section, but still a relaxed pace very early in the 235km, 4800m elevation gain monster course.

We enjoyed the spectacle, then went to Makoto Artisan Bistro in Futako Shinchi for a long, delicious French lunch. We could follow the race via streaming as we ate, and made it home in time to watch the climactic final 50kms, includng the brilliant and gutsy deciding move by Brandon McNulty and Richard Carapaz that brought Carapaz the gold medal. 

Waiting for the riders

We could follow their progress via the web streaming service to our mobile phones

Any minute now!

And there is the peleton, the Belgians and Slovenians in front

And then they were gone!

Jan Tratnik of Slovenia wins best power domestique -- here between the Fuji and Mikuni climbs

Well worth the modest effort!

The next day, also a scorcher, my wife and I drove to a spot not too far from Inagi, then rode to the same place as I had watched the day before, and met Peter J, for a repeat of the experience, and home in time to catch the last 1/3 of the race on a big screen streamed at home.

The women's race also had a breakaway from the start, as four riders passed us minutes before the main group -- three of them, Anna P. from Poland, Omar Shapira of Israel, and Anna Kiesenhofer, self-coached cyclist and mathematician of Austria, would hold off the peleton until Kagozaka Pass, and Kiesenhofer would ride solo the rest of the way to the finish for an incredible, inspirational victory.

If you have not followed her story, you really should! And the favored Dutch riders (who the oddsmakers strongly favored for gold, silver, and bronze), came away with only one medal, a silver by Annemiek van Vleuten, who did not realize that Keisenhofer was ahead of her (out of sight) up the road.

The early parade -- via streaming -- only 67 starters.

Ayu and I wait at the park

Peter J., Ayu, and I wait with the rest of the viewers.
A bigger group appeared on Sunday than on Saturday -- word spread!

The breakaway -- Omar Shapira, Anna P., and Anna Kiesenhofer are 1, 2, and 3.

Ethiopian rider quickly thought better of trying to stay in the break

The peleton

Rear view of the peleton

Kiesenhofer at the finish!

Kiesenhofer at the finish

Two days, two great races.