The Dude Does It and Dempster Defies the Rain

National Champion Kristian House solo'd to a win in the mountains on stage six of the Tour of Japan. Congrats.

Stage 6 of the race took place in and around the Japanese Keirin School, a vast site that boasts, 3 outdoor all weather velodromes, BMX, 4X, Downhill and cross country courses as well as the 12km road circuit around which today's stage would roll. In addition, if all that failed to entertain, the venue is also home to a theme park, crazy golf course and no doubt many other delights we didn’t have time to sample this time around.

Hard work by Darren Lampthorne saw him in the lone breakaway tapping out a rhythm no one could match. Sat into a chase group was team mate Kristian House.
As the race rolled passed 86 kilometres of 100. Kristian attacked and Darren played the role of team mate sitting on thechasers wheels as they attempted to claw back the Dude.

Gradually Kristians lead increased over the next few kilometers until at 85km and 15 left to race he had a 30 second advantage over his chasers and a further 45 over the main bunch.

Team Assistant Paul Rowlands explained "As the bunch passed the 500m to go  banner we finally heard the words we’d wanted as race radio announced 'race number 11 Kristian House of Rapha Condor wins."

The team at Condor send their best wishes to Kristian, Darren and the team who have proven on more than one occasion that their is no I in Team.

One fact that has been proven that here on Grays Inn Road, London we make the Condor Leggero and it can compete with brands from across the globe.

Dempster third on the rain

The seventh and final stage of the Tour of Japan was a fast criterium around downtown Tokoyo.  A fitting end to a great race.
In stark contrast to the previous day there was torrential rain throughout the stage.

Breaks came and went but only managed to create a 10 second gap over the bunch. At 75 km gone a group containing Kristian and Dean Downing escaped and looked like it would stick but within the final lap it all came together for a final sprint.

With four criterium specialists in the race this was an ideal opportunity for Rapha Condor Sharp to test their leadout train in advance of the forthcoming Tour Series races and the team didn’t disappoint as Zak Dempster popped up to take third place on this rain soaked stage. A fitting end to a memorable and successful race for Rapha Condor Sharp.

You can read the full race write up from each stage, see team interviews and more pictures on the team website www.raphacondorsharp.cc