JPF to Hold the First 2026 “JPF Presents MTB Challenge” Mie Stage on June 20 in Taki, Mie Prefecture

JPF Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shuntaro Watanabe) has been holding the mountain bike experience event “JPF Presents MTB Challenge” across Japan since 2023 as part of its efforts to promote sports and spread bicycle culture through its keirin-related business. The first event of the 2026 season, the “Mie Stage,” will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Seiwa no Mori Mountain Bike Course in Taki, Mie Prefecture. This participatory program is mainly designed for elementary school children and offers an opportunity to try mountain bike racing for the first time. To help beginners participate with confidence, practical lessons by former professional riders will also be provided at the venue. The event is designed with safety in mind so that children and guardians who may feel unsure because it is their first race can still enjoy the excitement of taking on a challenge. The race program includes two categories: a kids race and an endurance race. Participants from beginners to experienced riders can join according to their fitness level and experience. A free pump track experience session is also planned, allowing not only race participants but also children trying a sports bike for the first time to experience the fun of cycling. Under the theme “from keirin velodromes to the field,” JPF will continue creating opportunities for children to become familiar with bicycles, take on challenges, and grow, contributing to the development of next-generation cycle sports culture. The first Mie Stage will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Seiwa no Mori Mountain Bike Course, 1041-2 Furue, Taki-cho, Taki-gun, Mie 519-2216. Applications are open from Friday, May 15 to Friday, June 19, 2026. The kids race is for elementary school children and uses a special course with lap counts set by age group. The difficulty level is designed so that first-time participants can finish while enjoying the experience of racing. The endurance race is open to all ages and is held in a format where riders compete for the number of laps completed in 60 or 90 minutes. Individual entries, team entries, parent-child entries, and adult-only entries are all welcome. E-bikes may also participate, but their results will be treated as reference records. A free course strategy lesson will be held on the morning of the event. Former professional riders will use the actual race course to directly teach safe riding methods and riding tips, helping beginners and first-time participants challenge the race with confidence. Participation fees are 1,000 yen including tax for the kids race and 5,000 yen including tax for the endurance race. Official event page: https://www.jpf.co.jp/jpfnews/jpf-presents-mtb-challenge2026-_1/ JPF Co., Ltd. operates total management businesses nationwide, drawing on the experience and know-how it has built through the management of publicly operated racing venues. In recent years, the company has also focused on regional revitalization and sports promotion. This event is part of those efforts and aims to deliver the joy of cycle sports and the pleasure of taking on challenges to the next generation, supporting children’s challenges and contributing to the development of future talent in cycle sports.