[Roots Sports Japan] Continuation of partnership with 'Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen' for the 2026 season

Roots Sports Japan Co., Ltd. (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yoshimoto Nakajima; hereinafter "RSJ"), which develops citizen-participatory sports events and sports tourism businesses nationwide with the philosophy of "Rooting sports in Japan," announces that it will continue to support Japan's first community-based professional cycling team "Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen" (operated by Cycle Sports Management Co., Ltd.) as an official partner for the 2026 season.

Background of the continued partnership: A philosophy resonating with a 6-year history

The official partnership between RSJ and Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen has entered its 6th season, counting from its conclusion in 2021.

Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen has the ultimate goal of "recognizing and establishing cycle road racing as a professional sport." Since the club's founding in 2008, they have not only pursued victories in races but also steadily accumulated sports education through bicycles, safety awareness activities, and thorough regional revitalization activities, now playing an indispensable role as a symbol of the city in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture. In addition, their various challenging initiatives as Japan's first community-based professional cycling team have had a major impact on the entire Japanese cycle road racing world, and they have demonstrated leadership over many years.

We at RSJ have long been involved in regional revitalization businesses utilizing "public road sports" such as cycling and running, which use roads and entire towns. Since our founding in 2009, we have collaborated with over 40 prefectures and 400 municipalities nationwide. Furthermore, we have been continuously involved in the operation of Japan's largest international bicycle road race, "Tour of Japan," from 2019 to the present, accumulating business in the professional cycle road racing domain as well.

There is a strong affinity between the future that Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen aims for through cycling and the future we aim for through our business, and we deeply respect them as comrades who share the same aspirations. We once again endorse the highly ambitious challenges of Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen, and will humbly offer our support for the 2026 season as well.

About Astemo Utsunomiya Blitzen

Born in 2008 and based in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, this is Japan's first community-based professional cycling team. With the ultimate goal of recognizing and establishing cycle road racing as a professional sport, they are engaged in education, safety awareness, and regional revitalization activities through bicycles in addition to competing in races. They pursue not only results in competitive activities but also the cultivation of cycling culture and the realization of a rich local community.

About Roots Sports Japan Co., Ltd.

With the philosophy of "Rooting sports in Japan," the company develops regional revitalization businesses through sports events such as cycling and running, and sports tourism. Since its founding in 2009, it has created "exchanges between people and regions" through sports in collaboration with over 400 local governments in 40 prefectures nationwide. It handles everything from citizen participation events to professional competitions, including operating Japan's largest international bicycle road race, "Tour of Japan."

Roots Sports Japan Co., Ltd.
Providing planning and operation that leads to the joy and happiness of both the people who enjoy sports and the host regions.
http://roots-sports.jp/ (Corporate website)