Atsushi Oka (岡 篤志, Oka Atsushi, born 3 September 1995) is a Japanese professional cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Continental team JCL Team Ukyo.
 Oka competing in the under–23 men's time trial at the 2017 UCI Road World Championships | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1995 Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)[1] |
| Weight | 57 kg (126 lb; 9.0 st)[1] |
| Team information | |
| Current team | JCL Team Ukyo |
| Discipline | Road |
| Role | Rider |
| Rider type | |
| Amateur teams | |
| 2013 | C Project |
| 2013 | Cannondale–Champion System |
| 2014–2015 | EQA |
| Professional teams | |
| 2017–2019 | Utsunomiya Blitzen[3] |
| 2020–2021 | Nippo–Delko–One Provence[4][5] |
| 2021–2022 | Nippo–Provence–PTS Conti |
| 2023– | JCL Team Ukyo |
Career
editAfter three years at Japanese UCI Continental team Utsunomiya Blitzen, Oka signed with French UCI ProTeam Nippo–Delko–One Provence in 2020, joining compatriots Fumiyuki Beppu, Masahiro Ishigami, and Hideto Nakane.[2] Oka made his debut for the team at the 2020 La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.[6]
At the end of the 2020 season, it was reported that Oka was one of several riders who filed complaints to the UCI about team manager Philippe Lannes trying to force them out of the team midway through their contracts and evict them out of the team house, amidst controversies over "missing payments, contracts not being honored, and threatening behavior" towards the riders' futures on the team. Speculation arose that Lannes' actions, especially towards Oka and Ishigami, partially stemmed from his frustrations over Japanese sponsor Nippo leaving the team, further contributing to the team's financial troubles; however, both riders remained registered with team for the 2021 season.[7]
On 28 April 2021, Oka received a four-month suspension from the UCI after an anti-doping control test came back positive for acetazolamide, a drug banned by WADA that is often used to treat altitude sickness. Given the retroactive suspension from the date of the positive on 13 December 2020, Oka was eligible to race again on 24 May 2021.[8]
On 29 June, Oka signed with Nippo–Provence–PTS Conti, joining Delko teammate Masahiro Ishigami, who had signed a month earlier.[9]
Personal life
editOka's older brother Yasumasa is also a professional cyclist.[3]
Major results
edit- 2013
- 1st
Time trial, National Junior Road Championships - 2nd Road race, National Junior Road Championships
- 2014
- 5th Time trial, National Road Championships
- 2015
- 7th Time trial, National Road Championships
- 2016
- 2nd Time trial, National Under–23 Road Championships
- 2017
- 4th Time trial, National Road Championships
- 6th Overall Tour de Tochigi
- 2018
- 4th Oita Urban Classic
- 9th Overall Tour de Tochigi
- 10th Tour de Okinawa
- 2019
- 1st Prologue Tour of Japan
- 2nd Time trial, National Road Championships
- 2nd Overall Tour de Kumano
- 4th Overall Tour de Tochigi
- 2021
- National Road Championships
- 4th Time trial
- 5th Road race
- 2022
- 1st Stage 3 Tour of Japan
- 4th Umag Trophy
- 2023
- 1st
Overall Tour de Kumano - National Road Championships
- 2nd Road race
- 4th Time trial
- 3rd Overall Tour of Japan
- 1st Stage 5
- 2024
- 1st Overall Tour de Kumano
- 1st
Points classification
- 1st
- 1st
Active Rider classification, AlUla Tour
References
edit- ^ a b "ATSUSHI OKA - Team NIPPO DELKO One Provence". Nippo–Delko–One Provence. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Atsushi Oka, 2ème recrue japonaise" [Atsushi Oka, 2nd Japanese recruit] (in French). Delko–Marseille Provence. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Atsushi Oka". ProCyclingStats. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "NIPPO DELKO ONE PROVENCE". UCI. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "Les coureurs du Team NIPPO DELKO One Provence" [The riders of Team NIPPO DELKO One Provence] (in French). Delko–Marseille Provence. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ "1ère étape de la Tropicale Amissa Bongo – 3ème place pour Biniam Girmay Hailu" [1st stage of the Tropical Amissa Bongo - 3rd place for Biniam Girmay Hailu] (in French). Nippo–Delko–One Provence. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- ^ Benson, Daniel (5 November 2020). "UCI initiates bank guarantee proceedings against Nippo Delko One Provence after riders complain". CyclingNews. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Oka banned for doping positive as Delko in more financial trouble". CyclingNews. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ Gauthier, Nicolas (2 July 2021). "Transfert - Atsushi Oka rejoint le Team NIPPO-Provence-PTS Conti" [Transfer - Atsushi Oka joins Team NIPPO-Provence-PTS Conti]. Cyclism'Actu (in French). Retrieved 7 July 2021.
External links
edit- Atsushi Oka at ProCyclingStats
- Atsushi Oka at Cycling Archives (archived)