Beyond The Bicycle - Rapha Prestige
Widely regarded as one of the toughest and most respected bike races in Hokkaido, enjoy this video of the Rapha Prestige courtesy of the "Beyond The Bicycle" crew.
The Rapha Prestige is a world famous series of rides and Niseko is no different. This is a seriously technical course taking in some tough gravel sections. The aim of the race is for all 5 team members to finish together, which makes it a more communal, but no less tough, race than a tradition bike event.
There is an excellent review of the 2016 race on the Rapha website - read it in full by clicking here.
Yasuyuki Shimayuki, who filmed the video above, was taken aback by the event, describing it as the toughest race he has ever seen!
The Rapha Prestige Niseko info:
Course - 143km (40km on gravel roads)
27,00 meters of climbing
5 members in 1 team - all 5 members have to finish together and each person has to bring local craft beer for the after party!