Akaigawa Tomo Challenge Cup

Akaigawa Tomo Play Park is about an hour from Niseko over the Maple Road, and its asphalt pump track is the kind you can lap all day without touching the pedals. The Challenge Cup is Tomo’s one race day of the year, and it runs on a stopwatch instead of a start gate, so kids and adults ride the same course and BMXs line up next to MTBs.

Two ways to ride

The Time Attack Ride is split into men’s, women’s and kids’ classes, with the top three in each taking a podium. The Target Time Ride has no classes at all: you are given a time to hit, and whoever lands closest wins it.

Who can enter

• Anyone from elementary school age up who can ride a lap unassisted
• Any bike suited to the course, so an MTB, BMX or similar
• Helmets are mandatory, pads recommended

Injuries are your own responsibility on the day, so personal insurance is worth having.

Signing up

Entry is at the reception desk on the morning. There is no advance registration and no licence needed, so you can decide the night before.

If the weather turns

The event is called off in bad weather. Tomo posts the decision on its website and social channels by 7:00am on the day.

Six shops and brands are backing it this year: Wheelies, Sam’s Bike, K’s Bike Base, Rhythm Japan, Cycle Ono Sapporo and Gentral Park.

Late September is a good time to string a weekend together. The trails at Twin Peaks are usually running dry and the leaves are turning, so check the rest of the season’s events before you book.

Itinerary

Time	Activity
8:00am	Gates open
9:00am - 10:30am	Entry reception
9:30am - 11:00am	Course open for practice runs
11:00am	Opening ceremony and race briefing
11:15am	First competition run (2 to 3 runs depending on entry numbers)
~	Target Time Ride, then awards
3:00pm	Event ends