Hagiwara reclaims Japanese TT title; Becker takes bronze in Germany

Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Mayuko Hagiwara retook her title in the Japanese National Time Trial Championships, in Hachimantai, in the northeast of Honshu Island, to claim an incredible sixth victory in the race against the clock. The 27-year-old completed the 26.8km course in a time of 39 minutes and four seconds, to beat 2013 champion Eri Yonamine (Saxo Bank FX securities) by 51 seconds. Minami Uwano (Kanoya Sporting) finished another two minutes and two seconds back to take the bronze medal.

“I am very happy to win the national time trial,” Hagiwara said. “I could ride a good tempo in the race, so I was able to enjoy it.

“I really appreciate all the support from my family and friends,” she added. “Japan Colnago lent me a K.Zero time trial bike, with a Campagnolo disk wheel, and Team Nippo – a Japanese men’s Continental team – is helping me while I’m at the nationals.”

“I am alone in Japan but I can race without problems,” Hagiwara continued. “As I know I have a good team, family and friends in Europe which gives me a lot of energy.

“I will now keep going hard for win the national road race,” she concluded. “I want good race on Sunday, and I hope all my teammates can do good a race in each of their nationals.”

Sunday’s road race offers Hagiwara the chance to take back the title that she held in 2010,  2011 and 2012, and add an incredible tenth Japanese title to her collection.

Meanwhile, in Baunatal, in the state of Hesse, central Germany, Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Charlotte finished third in the German National Time Trial Championships, to take the bronze medal. The 31-year-old completed the 29.6km course in a time of 41 minutes, 28 seconds, to provisionally take the lead in the race she won back in 2006. Becker was pushed down into the Silver Medal spot by last year’s second place rider, Trixi Worrack (Specialized-lululemon), however, but Worrack herself was knocked off the top spot by teammate and defending champion Lisa Brennauer.

“I’m quite happy with my third place,” Becker said. “I was almost sure before that Lisa is not really beatable at the moment, and also Trixi is in a good shape. I really wanted a medal and I have it now, so thats fine.

“Maybe I can get another one in the road race tomorrow but they say rain and I hope we are lucky that it stays dry,” Becker added. “Tomorrow the course is the same except a little 3km extra loop in the lap with a short steep hill. For a TT the course today was not easy. It was a pretty technical loop with ups and downs, and no really flat part. My legs were good and I think thats a good sign for tomorrow.”

Result Japanese TT Championships
1. Mayuko Hagiwara (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling) 39’04”
2. Eri Yonamine (Saxo Bank FX securities) 39’55”
3. Minami Uwano (Kanoya Sporting) 41’57”

Result German TT Championships
1. Lisa Brennauer (Specialized-lululemon)
2. Trixi Worrack (Specialized-lululemon)
3. Charlotte Becker (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling)