Takashi Miyazawa cried tears of joy for the support his colleagues showed to him and Japan yesterday at Milano-Sanremo. With the organisers, the 33-year-old national champion led a minute's silence ahead of the race for his country's earthquake and tsunami victims.
An earthquake hit Japan's northeast last week, triggering tsunamis and a nuclear emergency. More than 8000 are reported dead.
Miyazawa joined other national champions on the start line, including Farnese Vini team-mate and Italian champion, Giovanni Visconti (pictured right), and World Champion Thor Hushovd. They also presented a Japanese flag, which was signed by all 198 participates and will be auctioned to raise funds for the victims.
The day did not end there for Miyazawa.
He formed part of a four-man escape after only 12 kilometres into the 298-kilometre race to San Remo. He joined Russian Mikhail Ignatiev (Katusha), Italian Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giocattoli) and Belgian Nico Sijmens (Cofidis). They gained up to 13 minutes, but Miyazawa lost ground by the Mànie climb. Once caught, after 190 kilometres, he worked for Visconti in the second group.
"It was a long day, touching and emotional," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "The peloton showed their support and I gave my all, so much so, at the finish, my team-mates had to help me get out of my jersey."
Miyazawa finished 134th, 15'51" back from winner Matt Goss. He and the others finished over a Japanese flag that the organisers painted on the road.
Auction
Several teams have donated items to an auction being held in Norway to raise money for Save The Children's Japan Appeal. It began yesterday and runs for eight days. The auction can be found online here: click for link
Contact Mona Lock Skålevik in the following ways to bid:
Twitter: @Monals85
Email: mona.skaalevik@hotmail.com
Phone: +47 47416796