Tour de Kyushu Criterium 2026: Preview and Favorites

Tour de Kyushu Criterium 2026: the procontinental criterium in Japan The Tour de Kyushu Criterium is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026 in the Kyushu region of Japan. The race is classified as procontinental and promises to be a fast-paced event, typical of criteriums, where top speed and reading the final laps make the difference. The expected protagonists Among the verified entrants, two teams stand out: XDS Astana Team, fielding Nikiforos Arvanitou and Matteo Malucelli, and Team UKYO, present with five riders: Tommaso Dati, Manabu Ishibashi, Federico Iacomoni, Nicolò Garibbo, and Ren Mochizuki, plus Jin Soneda. Completing the lineup are Jeroen Meijers (Victoria Sports Pro Cycling) and Alessio Delle Vedove (XDS Astana Development Team). The favorites' season Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana Team) comes off a series of strong performances at the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi, where he took 1st place in stage 8, 1st in stage 3, and 1st in stage 1, along with a 2nd place in stage 6 and a 6th in stage 7. (Note: these are individual stages, not the general classification). Nikiforos Arvanitou (XDS Astana Team) secured a 1st place at the Visegrad 4 Bicycle Race Grand Prix Poland and a 6th place at the Visegrad 4 Bicycle Race - GP Czech Republic. In stage races, he shone with a 3rd place in stage 2 of the Tour of Slovenia, a 6th in stage 1, and an 8th in stage 2 of the Arctic Race of Norway (all individual stages). Tommaso Dati (Team UKYO) achieved a 2nd place at the Coppa Bernocchi - GP Banco BPM and a 1st place at the Mediterranean Games - ME IRR. His 3rd place in stage 3 and 4th in stage 2 of the Giro d'Abruzzo, as well as 4th in stage 4 of the Tour de Gyeongnam, refer to individual stages. Federico Iacomoni (Team UKYO) won stage 2 of the Tour d'Arménie (1st place) and placed 4th in stage 3 of the same race, plus a 3rd place at the Mediterranean Games - ME IRR. He also took 9th in stage 5 and 9th in stage 4 of the Tour of Japan. Jeroen Meijers (Victoria Sports Pro Cycling) won stage 1 of the Tour of Salalah (1st place) and placed 4th in stage 4 of the same race. At the Tour of Huangshan, he took 6th in stage 2 and 6th in stage 1, and was 8th at the Dhofar Classic. Ren Mochizuki (Team UKYO) is the Japanese national road champion, having won the title at the National Road Championships - Japan. Nicolò Garibbo (Team UKYO) has shown consistent placings: 20th at Milano-Torino, 7th in stage 4, 5th in stage 2, and 5th in stage 1 of the Giro d'Abruzzo, plus a 6th place in stage 7 of the Tour of Japan. Jin Soneda (Team UKYO) finished 6th in the time trial at the National Road Championships - Japan and 6th in the ME time trial at the same championships, along with a 41st place at the Tour de Kumano. The favorites for victory Based on the results, Matteo Malucelli appears the most suited profile for a criterium: his multiple stage wins at the Tour de Langkawi testify to his top speed, a fundamental quality in this type of race. Nikiforos Arvanitou is a versatile rider, capable of winning one-day races and placing in stages of stage races, making him dangerous in a reduced bunch sprint. Tommaso Dati comes from an excellent 2nd place at the Coppa Bernocchi and a victory at the Mediterranean Games, showing enviable form. Federico Iacomoni has his stage win at the Tour d'Arménie and a good feel for short races. Jeroen Meijers, though less explosive, is a reliable rider who could finish high. Keep an eye on Ren Mochizuki, the Japanese national champion, who on home soil could find the right inspiration, and Nicolò Garibbo, skilled at late attacks. Jin Soneda, with his time trial experience, could prove a valuable outsider in a tactical race. The Tour de Kyushu Criterium takes place in the Kyushu region of Japan, and its date is set for October 9, 2026 — source: OFFICIAL RACE DATA Ren Mochizuki is the reigning Japanese national road champion — source: ENTRANTS' RESULTS HISTORY Matteo Malucelli has achieved three stage wins at the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi — source: ENTRANTS' RESULTS HISTORY