The 2014 edition of the Japan Cup was the last race of Takashi Miyazawa as professional cyclist, as the 36-year old Vini Fantini-Nippo rider decided to bid farewell in front of home crowds.
Using his official Facebook profile, the Japanese rider thanked fans an all his talented team-mates, as well as his mentor Hiroshi Daimon who had brought him to Europe back in 1996 and significantly influenced his development as professional rider.
In his professional career Miyazawa rode for such outfits as Bridgestone Anchor (2003-2005), Team Vang (2006), Nippo – Meitan Hompo (2007-2010), Farnese Vini-Neri-Sottoli (2011), Saxo-Tinkoff (2012-2013) and concluded his final season with Vini Fantini-Nippo.
During that time, Miyazawa excelled mainly in races held on Asian continent, winning the Tour de Okinawa in 2007, Tour de Hokkaido in 2009 or finishing runner-up in the Asian Cycling Championships in 2010. On European soil, the 36-year old Japanese took forth place in Circuito de Getxo in 2009 and fifth in Paris-Bruxelles in 2011.
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