Fumiyuki Beppu has got the Japan Cup off to a good start. The day before the official UCI race, the local Trek rider won the warmup criterium. He beat Ben Swift (Sky) and Steele Von Hoff (NFTO) into to the minor podium positions. 

The Japan Cup (1.HC) will be held on Sunday for the 24th time. Last year, Australian Nathan Haas won for the second time in his career. He beat Edvald Boasson Hagen and Grega Bole in a sprint from a small group.

Haas is back to defend his title but is up against a strong field that includes Lampre-Merida, BMC, Trek and Sky in addition to his own Cannondale-Garmin team.