Lenny Martinez Victorious at the 32nd Japan Cup
# Lenny Martinez Triumphs in Memorable 32nd Japan Cup
Lenny Martinez wrapped up an outstanding debut season with Bahrain Victorious by clinching victory at the 32nd Utsunomiya Japan Cup Road Race. The 22-year-old French cyclist showcased his climbing skills, solidifying his breakout year with another impressive win, following triumphs at Paris–Nice, Critérium du Dauphiné, and the Tour de Romandie.
The demanding course featured riders tackling 14 laps of a challenging 10km circuit, each including the steep Kogashiyama climb. The race’s intensity took a toll on the peloton, and by the end, only a select few remained in contention.
With 20 kilometers to go, Martinez found himself among a group of seven competitors. On the final ascent of Kogashiyama, he made a bold move, launching a decisive solo attack that allowed him to break clear from the pack. He maintained this lead all the way to the finish line, ending the race an impressive 32 seconds ahead of Alex Baudin from EF Education–EasyPost.
Martinez, who also secured the U23 Young Rider Award, expressed his elation at the victory: “I feel really good about this result. The team did a great job today, and I was in good condition, so I was able to make my move at the end. I started setting it up early because the climb wasn’t very long. Over the last three and two laps, I tried to reduce the group, and on the final lap, I chose the right moment to go solo.”
He added, “It’s better to be alone than to finish in a group. It was the last race of the season, and I’m super happy to win — for the team, for the staff, and also for myself. We’re ending the season really well, and that’s great motivation for the winter. Plus, it’s not very common to race in Japan, so I’m especially happy to take the win in such a unique place.”
Bahrain Victorious Sports Director Michal Golas praised the collective effort of his team in achieving a strong performance at the Japan Cup. “The boys did very well. We know it’s mid-October and the end of the season, but they were still very motivated — and they showed that yesterday as well when Vlad Van Mechelen sprinted to third place in the Criterium.”
“We had the feeling that they really wanted to ride a great Japan Cup, and that’s exactly what they did. We were in the day’s breakaway with Rainer Kepplinger, and our team controlled things well. In the second part of the race, we made it hard, and then Lenny showed his strength. He did an excellent job, making the final selection just as planned. It’s always easy to guide the guys when they have such good legs, but it’s also a real pleasure to see that kind of motivation.”
With this win, Martinez not only capped a remarkable season but also set the stage for what looks to be a promising career ahead.
