European dream Sota Kusumoto starts in Assen

Former professional cyclist Adrie Lindeman and the Japanese Hideyuki Takagi of the Northern Cycling Association Groningen have started a project to introduce young riders from Japan of the LT United Cycling Team to cycling in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Hideyuki has now been in the Netherlands for four years. “I started this project together with Adrie because there are not many opportunities for Japanese riders to gain international experience in Europe. This can be done in a few races with the national team at the most.”

This week he accompanies junior rider Sota Kusumoto in the Jeugdtour Assen. “We have been in the Netherlands for two weeks now. The Jeugdtour is the biggest race I ride,” says Sota. “In Japan there are no stage races like this. Everything is new to me. Next week we will go to Belgium to compete there for another three weeks.”

It is the first time that Sota races outside Japan. “The riders ride much closer together in the peloton here, because everyone is more technically skilled. In Japan, riders keep a lot of distance from each other. The speed in the races is also much higher than I am used to.”

The young Japanese rider showed today that he learns quickly. He rode an aggressive  race and occasionally managed to collect some points.

“The races are going well. I hope to gain experience this week.”

That experience will probably come in handy next year.

“Then I want to come to the Netherlands and I hope to find a team here. Eventually I would like to become a professional cyclist in Europe. I think I can develop into a good all-rounder.”