The NEILPRYDE MEN'S CLUB PRO CYCLING TEAM is set to rock the Japan Pro Tour (JPT) 21 race series again this year. In 2013, NEILPRYDE stepped in as a main sponsor and the team saw their ranking jump into the top 10 nationwide for the first time. NEILPRYDE and Men's Club fashion magazine continue as the team's two main sponsors for 2014.
NEILPRYDE Brand Manager, Mike Pryde, flew to Japan to train with the team, give support at this year's opening JPT race and be immersed with the team for the five days of events surrounding it.
The first two days was team training on the Boso Peninsula known for its great views and open roads perfect for riding together as a group. From there, Saturday took the team and supporters 4 hours north to Utsunomiya for training on the Japan Pro Tour course. Sunday was the big JPT season opener criterium race with over 8,000 pro tour fans and amateur racers in attendance. All but one of the men's team riders finished the high-speed and crash-filled crit with points for the team ranking. The highlight of the day was seeing the new NEILPRYDE-MEN'S CLUB J Feminin Tour team of 2 girls pull out the win in a long goal sprint! This put the winner, Mao Chino, into the Pink leader's jersey she will now work to defend for the rest of the season.
The 5th and final day was the team presentation and press conference. It was hosted at the French Embassy in Tokyo due to the team's strong French influence thanks to team founders Stephan Forest and Sebastien Pilotte. Inclusion of Japanese riders who also race in France as well as international riders from France and other countries has always been at the core of the team. The team presentation was attended by "who's who" of the Japanese road race cycling world and featured in both online and print publications. Needless to say, this will be one of the most watched teams in Japan this year.
Read more about the team and the launch:
Cyclowired
Cyclist
Mensclub Magazine
More information about the team here.
ニールプライド・メンズクラブ プロサイクリングチームは今年も再びJプロツアーで活躍する。２０１３年に続いて２０１４年もニールプライドバイクとファッション雑誌「メンズクラブ」がメインスポンサーとなった。ニールプライドバイク担当者のマイク・プライドが来日し、３月２０日から２４日までの５日間のイベントでチームに密着した。最初の２日間は房総半島でのチーム合宿、３日目はJプロツアー開幕戦宇都宮大会のコーストレーニングがあり、４日目の開幕戦当日には８０００人以上の観客が集まった。そして最終日はフランス大使館で今シーズンの選手やチーム体制の記者会見を行った。詳しくは下記のメディアへ。
ニールプライド・メンズクラブ プロサイクリングチームはいうまでもなく今年最も注目を受けるだろう。
