National theme bike for Tour's lone Japanese rider
Image 1 of 11
As part of Europcar, Arashiro has a huge selection of bike models from which to choose. For most stages of the 2014 Tour, he has been on this M10(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
The 29-year-old has won the Japanese national road title twice(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Campagnolo Ultra 35s were the first Campy wheels to get a diamond-etched braking surface, which works well in the wet(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
Between the new Canyon and Bontrager integrated bar/stems, and the offerings of Ritchey and this Deda Alanera, integrated cockpits are enjoying a small resurgence(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
A bit of sandpaper is used for extra grip between the front derailleur and the mount(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
Look Keo pedals with a special touch(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
Europcar mechanics keep Arashiro's 11-speed chain in immaculate condition(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
Colnago's red spade and Japan's sun work together nicely, we think(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
Japan's rising sun emblem isn't a common sight in the pro peloton. The two chacters read Nippon, Japanese for Japan(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
Arashiro on the front on stage 13 of the 2014 Tour de France(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Hutchinson's Pro Tour tubular now comes in a 24mm width(Image credit: Ben Delaney / Future Publishing)
Now in his sixth year on a major French pro team, Yukiya Arashiro is racing this year's Tour de France aboard a custom-painted M10 for Team Europcar. As the sole Japanese rider in this year's Tour, Arashiro has a white Colnago M10 with a few red sun discs from Japan's flag and the characters for Nippon (Japan).
Europcar has more varieties of road bikes to choose from than any other team at the Tour. While compatriot squad Ag2r-La Mondiale is racing all the road stages on one bike, the Focus Izalco Max, Europcar riders have five: the C59, C60, V1-r, CX Zero and the M10. Despite that, Europcar does not have a power-meter sponsor. A simple Sigma computer adorns Arashiro's integrated Deda Alanera bar/stem combo.
As a domestique at the Tour, Arashiro likely won't earn much TV time or any headlines, but the two-time Japanese national road champion did score a 10th place finish at the Amstel Gold this year. In 2012 he won the Tour du Limousin.
