Two years after it signed up the-then national champion Takashi Miyazawa, the Farnese Vini team has inked a deal with another Japanese rider, Junay Sano. The 30 year old is coming on board after three years with the Nippo team, and is described by the team as a strong, complete athlete.
General manager Luca Scinto sees him as one who can shine early on in the Classics. “He has a strong physique,” he said. “I know he will help us in the North and test himself in international competitions. Moreover, he will be an important support for all Asian races.”
Sano finished second in both 2011 and 2012 in the Japanese time trial championships. Last year he won a stage and finished fourth overall in the Tour de Hokkaido, while he was also third overall in both the Tour of Taiwan and the Tour de Okinawa.
This season saw him net three top ten placings in the Tour de la Guadeloupe and also third overall. He also took top ten overall finishes in the Tour de Kumano (seventh) and the Tour of Japan (ninth).
According to the team, next year will bring stronger connections than ever between Asia and the sponsors of the team. This is part of the reason why Sano has been signed up, although the team will hope that he will take the kind of results that will justify it from a sporting perspective.