Today Fumiyuki Beppy won his third Japanese time trial title but the Trek rider is up for more. During the race, he tried to hold something back to be ready for Sunday's road race as well.

Fumiyuki Beooy stopped the clock after 53:02, having covered the three laps of the 40 km event 30 seconds faster than his runner-up. It was his third national title - and he’s not satisfied yet. Nasu Blazen (Team Jyunya Sano) was second, Genki Yamamoto (Vini Fantini-Nippo) was third.

“I’m really happy with this victory, but the battle is not over," he said. "On Sunday, I want to win the title on the road as well. It’s always a bit hard to assess the competition, as I usually don’t race against the home riders.

"There were three laps, so I decided to go quite hard in the first lap and then try to control, trying to save some energy for the road race on Sunday. My split time after lap 1 was the fastest by 15 seconds, so I could shift down a gear. But after the second lap, my gap was only 8 seconds, so I had to do lap 3 quite deep anyway. At the finish, I had a 30 seconds lead.

“I had a 56 chainring mounted on my SpeedConcept, because the downhill part was really fast. I quite enjoyed the race, actually. I was looking to win - that’s why I traveled all the way here. My condition is good, having finished the Giro and then maintained my shape.”

Racing the Nationals is not an easy feat for the Japanese rider, who resides in France. It’s Fumy’s fifth trip ‘home’ for nationals since he turned pro in 2005. He’s now won three TT titles (2007, 2011 and 2014) and is looking for a third title on the road on Sunday.

“I had so much luggage coming here! Two bikes, race wheels, spare wheels, helmets, etc," he said. "It’s really a big challenge to do the Nationals, but I like it. I’m proud of my country and I will wear the jersey with a lot of respect. That’s also why I want to win Sunday. But it will not be easy. Three years ago, on the same course, I was in the break. But the peloton was controlling the gap very well and they caught us back. Then luckily I won in a sprint.”