Rena Tanaka of "IGNTZONE Racing Team," sponsored by Fitcrew Inc., wins All Japan Championship (Women's U23)! Earns title of Japan's Best and National Champion Jersey

Fitcrew Comment

"Congratulations to Rena Tanaka on her victory in the All Japan Championship U23 category and winning the Japan Champion title. In this race, which featured fierce competitors and harsh weather and course conditions, her strong will and persistent attacking performance until the very end, leading her to the summit, brought great emotion, pride, and courage to all of us at Fitcrew. We sincerely respect Rena Tanaka's efforts in achieving the highest result of 'Japan's Best' by overcoming the pressure on the grand stage of her first All Japan Championship, and the team's unity that supported her. As the main sponsor of 'IGNTZONE Racing Team,' we will continue to fully support athletes challenging the world and the future, and aim for even greater heights together."

(Hiroki Kashima, President and Representative Director, Fitcrew Inc.)

[Event Overview and Race Results]

Event Name

2026 All Japan Championship Road Race

Date

June 28, 2026 (Sun)

Venue/Course

Mikuni River Dam Circuit Course, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

Distance

12.0km x 7 laps = 84.0km

1st Place (Winner)

Rena Tanaka

IGNTZONE Racing Team

2:28:28

2nd Place

Hina Matsui

Nippon Sport Science University

2:30:21

3rd Place

Yuka Mitani

Nippon Sport Science University

2:30:24

[Explanation] The Value of the Japan Champion Jersey (National Jersey)

The winner of each category at the All Japan Championship is awarded a special "National Jersey (Japan Champion Jersey)" by the Japan Cycling Federation, featuring a red sun disc on a white background. The athlete who earns this jersey has the right to wear it in all domestic and international races for one year until the same event is held the following year, as proof of being the "Japan Champion." It is the most prestigious and coveted jersey in the world of road cycling.

[Race Development]

This event was contested over a total distance of 84km, with 7 laps of a grueling 12km circuit course with ascents and descents around the Mikuni River Dam in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. The women's category started as a combined race for elite and U23 riders. Due to the course's characteristics, maintaining a position in the leading group offered a significant advantage, leading to intense battles for position from the start. Rena Tanaka, an emerging talent, represented IGNTZONE Racing Team.

The race dynamics shifted significantly on the third lap. The pace picked up by the strong contenders caused the peloton to break apart, and Tanaka found herself in a difficult situation, temporarily dropping from the leading group just before the summit. With the lead group narrowed down to three riders, Tanaka calmly formed a chasing group of three with Yui Ishida and Karin Abe, maintaining the pursuit.

In the final lap, Abe fell behind on the climb, and the race became a one-on-one battle between Ishida and Tanaka for 4th place overall (their second confrontation following the Spring Challenge Road in 2026). Although Tanaka initially broke away solo after an attack at the summit, Ishida remarkably caught up with a tenacious effort and launched a counter-attack. To close the 50-meter gap that opened up with 4km remaining, Tanaka pushed herself beyond her limits in a desperate chase, but fell short by just 5 seconds, finishing 5th overall. However, in the U23 category, she shone with an overwhelming performance that left her competitors far behind, brilliantly taking the top spot (1st place, winner).

[Rena Tanaka's Comments]

Rena Tanaka (IGNTZONE Racing Team)

"My goal was to win the U23 category and to make the podium overall. I closed the gap a little on the final 500m climb, but my legs were at their limit. I couldn't quite pull away at the end and finished 5th overall. My biggest feeling immediately after the race was regret. On the other hand, I achieved 1st place in the U23 individual category and won the national jersey, which is a truly happy outcome. Thank you so much to all the sponsors who always support my activities."

[Future Outlook]

Rena Tanaka and IGNTZONE Racing Team, who have earned the national jersey as proof of being the All Japan Champions, will use this victory as a springboard to compete in the next event, the "Minamiuonuma Road Race Women's Championship," which will feature even stronger competitors.

Fitcrew Inc. will continue to convey the passion and value of challenge that sports possess to society, along with the team that has achieved the title of Japan's Best, and strive for further branding enhancement and contribution to the local community and sports world. Please keep an eye on the new winning streak of IGNTZONE Racing Team, which will lead the future of cycling.

[Contact Information for Inquiries]

Fitcrew Inc. Marketing and Public Relations Department Contact: Mayumi Kashima

https://fitcrew.co.jp/ Inquiries for coverage/publication: mayu@fitcrew.co.jp *We do not accept any business-related inquiries.