SAITAMA -- About 200 people cycled ferociously through squalls in the Road to Saitama Criterium in Saiko race, with the winners of each category invited to join the 2018 Le Tour de France Saitama Criterium to be held Nov. 4 in Saitama.
Races for the time trial in three categories -- men's, junior men's and women's/junior women's -- on a 5-kilometer circuit began around 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 15 at Arakawa Saiko Park in Sakura Ward.
Ryohei Fujita, 21, from Ageo in the prefecture, said he was thrilled to win in the men's category. "I was determined to win. I'll train even harder for the main race," Fujita said.
Team enduro racing was also held, with groups of participants competing over the number of circuits they can cycle within a given time. Eight teams, all composed of family members, took part in a one-hour event.
The 3-hour enduro event involved 50 teams -- some all men, others with both men and women. All were gasping for air as they handed the band to count the rounds to the next cyclist.
Family members and other spectators seemed to be enjoying themselves as well, eating food and trying out various bicycles.
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