Niseko Classic

Date
Saturday 15.06.2024 - 16.06.2024
Distances
80 - 150 km
City
Niseko
Country
Japan

Japan is the number one country on the Asian continent with a history of World Championships Elite (Utsunomiya 1990) which is the only road World Championships held in Asia so far. The Niseko classic was organized for the first time in 2014 and delivered a great event as qualifier in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships on a difficult and scenic mountain route on Japan’s northern island. The area is a well-known ski area in winter.

General

Niseko is an area located in Hokkaido, the North island of Japan. It is a very wellknown ski-area with a lot of international visitors in winter, but also the summer is interesting for mountainbiking, hiking, golf or to take the gondola up the mountain.

The easiest way to get to Niseko is by an international flight to the new Chitose Airport. Many flights by various carriers fly into New Chitose Airport, including daily flights from East/South-East Asia cities.

Niseko is about 100 km southwest of Sapporo city and Sapporo New Chitose Airport (2 hour driving distance).

Road race

The Niseko Classic road race course has two distances, a distance of 150 km that counts as a qualifier for all men 19-49 and a distance of 80 km which is the qualifying distance for all women and men 50+. The 150 km race is a real mountain stage with a 20 km climb to an altitude of 1000m above sea level. The 80 km race is easier but is still hilly.  The race will also achieve fully closed roads for the first time.

150km
80km

Time Trial

The time trial won’t take place in 2024 but will be rescheduled in the program in 2025.