Racing in Japan Get To Know Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen

Cycling is a worldwide activity, with two-wheel adventures taking intrepid pedallers to the far reaches of the earth, and 4iiii has supported riders and racers from around the globe since our inception. Each year, we’re happy to work with teams and athletes from a wide range of countries, providing them with the tools they need to pursue their goals with confidence and accuracy. From European World Cup mountain bike squads and WorldTour rosters, to gravel privateers from North/South America, Australia, and Africa, and our new addition in 2026, Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen team of Japan, we’re providing power far and wide. The management and riders of Utsunomiya Blitzen have been providing some fantastic photos and race reports from the season so far, and we wanted to shine some light on the squad, who have been at the forefront of racing in Japan and community engagement for close to two decades.

Established in 2009, Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen Racing is currently in its 18th season, registered and operating as a UCI Continental team. Based in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, their racing calendar takes place primarily within the country, with a few exceptions, such as the Tour de Taiwan, and Tour de Korea. Japan’s domestic regional tour, or the J Pro Tour, consists of around 20 teams, including continental and club teams, and features approximately 20 races per season, including circuit races and criteriums. Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen were the champions of the 2025 season, and hope to repeat this year. They also compete in the UCI Asia Tour, where they ranked 14th in the 2025 season.

When asked about their racing objectives for the 2026 season, the team directors stated, “Our goal is the overall victory in the Japan Pro Tour, victory at the National Road Championships, a top-10 in the UCI Asia Tour rankings, and a podium finish at the Japan Cup Cycle Road Race.”

In addition to their competitive aims as one of the country’s mainstays on the national racing circuit, the team’s long-term goal has always been to establish professional road cycling as an enduring major sport in Japan. They are actively involved in local community revitalization and bicycle safety education with young riders, to promote and inspire the next generation of riders and racers. As stated by the team management, “ In Japan, there are many popular sports such as baseball and soccer, and cycling culture is still developing in comparison. There are two main aspects: competitive cycling and recreational (hobby) cycling. On the competitive side, it is important to have teams and riders who can perform at the highest international level. On the recreational side, cycling has strong value in terms of health and environmental benefits, and we believe it is important to work with local governments and organizations to promote cycling as a way to enrich people’s lives. We conduct bicycle safety classes for approximately 5,000 students annually, ranging from kindergarten to high school… we’re based in Utsunomiya City and are supported by around 200 local partner companies. As a way of giving back to the community, we actively organize these safety programs to help ensure that children do not become involved in bicycle-related accidents, and to spread the joy of riding with them.”

In terms of roster, the team boasts a mix of thirteen multi-talented riders from Japan and Taiwan. Riders such as Japan’s Atushi Oka, who took the team’s first win of the season in 2026, and finished as the 2nd Best Asian Rider in the 2025 Tour de Taiwan, and Chun Kai Feng, a Taiwanese Ace, noted for his King of the Mountains strength are among their deep road squad. Their off-road success is equally notable, as they contest victories at Japanese and Asian mountain bike and cyclo-cross events.

Toki Sawada - The 32-year-old rider from Japan, dubbed the “Japanese Tom Pidcock,” displays versatility as both a mountain biker and cyclo-cross racer, having claimed multiple Asian and Japanese championship titles in both disciplines. Sawada brings his strength and bike-handling skills to the team on the road as a true “all-around” racer for the team.

Sergio Tu - The 29-year-old from Taiwan, who spent previous seasons racing for the Bahrain - Victorious WorldTour team (2022-2025), brings his wealth of experience to the team. As the reigning Taiwanese double champion, in both the time-trial and road race, he’ll provide valuable versatility and leadership to the Japanese squad.

It’s always good for a team’s confidence and momentum to get the first win of the year in the bag, which the Blitzen boys recently did, with a winning sprint by Atushi Oka. The team commented, “Our first victory of the season came at the Utsunomiya Kiyohara Criterium, held in our hometown. It was a very meaningful win for the team, as many sponsors and supporters were present at the venue. The victory brought great excitement to everyone involved, and it was widely covered by local newspapers and television the following day.” We hope they can continue their winning ways, in part to see what other amazing merch it will inspire!

For the 2026 season, we’re proud to be supplying the team with our PRECISION 3+ Pro dual-sided power meters, which will equip their Merida racing bikes. With national champions across multiple disciplines, including road, time-trial, and mountain biking, they’ll be relying on in-depth and accurate data to guide them through another successful season on the Japanese and Asian circuit.

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You can learn more about Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen and follow their season of competition here: @utsunomiya_blitzen_official

Check out the 4iiii power meters that the riders rely on for their training and racing this season: 4iiii Power Meters