From Japan to Euregio: Team UKYO Takes first pedal strokes in elite cycling at Tour of the Alps 

JCL Team Ukyo’s journey begins with a former Formula One driver, Ukyo Katayama, who falls in love with cycling, and gives expression to this passion by marching Japanese dedication to the Italian know-how in professional cycling. The team’s aspiration is to rise up the international cycling ranks, with the long-term ambition of participating in the Tour de France.

But first, from April 15 to 19, the JCL Team UKYO will face the Tour of the Alps, one of the major events of its seasonal calendar. The technical and logistical base of the Japanese team is in Italy, under the management of Italian Alberto Volpi, among the most decorated Sports Directors in international cycling.

At the euro-regional race, JCL Team UKYO will line-up a mix of Japanese and Italian riders with the goal of showing off in every stage and testing themselves against the best teams in the world.

Expected to lead Ukyo Katayama’s team are Japanese National Champion Masaki Yamamoto, veteran Nariyuki Masuda and Italian climber Thomas Pesenti.

"Big claims before the race are not our thing, but we definitely aim to show off at the #TotA" explains JCL Team UKYO's General Manager Alberto Volpi. "Given the level of the race and its demanding stages, the Tour of the Alps is a race where riders can't hide. The World Teams show up to win, to seek a confidence boost before the Giro d'Italia. We are honored to take part in this race that has shown faith in us since many months".

Tour of the Alps represents the key moment of JCL Team UKYO’s calendar, featured by many Asian races like Tour de Taiwan and some Italian events like Trofeo Laigueglia and Settimana Coppi e Bartali.

However, big challenges are part of Ukyo Katayama’s sporting life, marked by nearly 100 Formula One’s GP, the participation at Paris-Dakar, and a top-3 claimed at 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Japanese manager boasts great experience, big dreams, and excellent insights into international top-level sports events.

"It's a great privilege for us to participate in the Tour of the Alps, a race renowned for its thrilling routes and fierce competition. We feel aligned with the message of unity and inclusion characterizing this event," says Katayama, who will be present at the start in Neumarkt/Egna. "I can't wait to take part in the teams presentation supporting my guys during the race. Seeing our riders compete in such a prestigious event makes me proud."

JCL Team UKYO will face some of the biggest cycling teams in the World in the 47th Tour of the Alps, the race organized by GS Alto Garda featuring 9 World Teams. Tour of the Alps’ Teams Presentation is scheduled on Sunday, April 14 at 5.00 pm CET in Neumarkt/Egna in Würth Italy’s HQ. Neumarkt/Egna will also host the start of stage 1 on Monday, April 15 with finish in Kurtinig ADW/Cortina sSdV.