Julian Arredondo has had an amazing first season as a professional but in the second half of the year he has had a hard time living up to his performances in the Giro d'Italia. Having found his legs in the Tour of Beijing, he ended the season on a high by finishing fifth in the Japan Cup.

It was a small peloton that undertook the 151.3-kilometer race in the Utsonomiya Forest Park, Sunday, where the riders tackled multiple 14-kilometer circuits, which included the stiff Kogashi climb each lap.

Garmin Sharp and Team Sky controlled the four-man breakaway that escaped early, while Trek Factory Racing - starting the race with only four riders - bided its time until the final shortened 10.3-kilometer circuit.

The final time up the Kogashi climb saw a selection of 10 riders break free, but despite numerous attacks, nine arrived to the finish together for the slightly uphill sprint.

Nathan Haas (Garmin-Sharp) edged out Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) in a photo finish, and Grega Bole (Vini Fantini Nippo) rounded out the podium.

Julian Arredondo, who helped whittle the peloton to it its strongest legs with an attack on the final climb, was out-powered in the sprint and finished 5th.

Today was a game of patience for Trek Factory Racing, explained General Manager Luca Guercilena, directing the team in Japan for its final race of 2014:

"The plan was to wait to the final and attack with Fumy [Beppu] early and Julian after. With one lap to go we went out full gas with Popo [Yaroslav Popovych] and Hayden [Roulston] making the selection, and then Julian launched the big attack on the climb. Only nine riders were left that arrived at the sprint and he was 5th.

"With only four riders here it was a very good team effort. Everyone did his job - from Popo and Hayden laying out the groundwork, then Fumy attacking, then Julian. At the end Julian did his best against sprinters like Boasson Hagen, and although we did not make the podium I am really happy. It was a great race to end our season and with all the Japanese fans  – they were really amazing!"