Japan
10 Apr 1983
1.80m
60kg
2005
First year pro
The 2005 season was filled with new challenges and experiences for Beppu, the team´s first Asian rider and one of just a few Asian cyclists to base themselves in Europe. Enthusiastic and excitable, Beppu quickly gained a foothold on the team and embraced the opportunity to race at the highest level and came through with some moderate results. For Beppu, the 2005 season was never expected to be one filled with top line results but more one to learn and adapt to the lifestyle of a European professional.
Beppu started off the season in Malaysia at the Tour de Langkawi and rode solidly throughout, finishing in the top 40 with the highlight a top 10 finish in the race´s time trial, one of three Discovery Channel riders in the top 10. Beppu rode through some of the minor Classics and brought form to the Circuit de la Sarthe in early April. There, he put together another strong effort by finishing 13th overall – third best on the team – and third in the young rider classification, led by a 10th in the time trial stage. Another highlight was a top 10 stage finish at the Sachsen Tour and a top 20 overall finish at the Tour de l’Ain.
Prior to joining the team, Beppu lived in France and competed in the amateur ranks with the VC La Pomme team. In 2004, he recorded one victory and six other podium appearances. Beppu´s successful amateur career also includes the 2003 Japanese U23 road championship and the Asian Junior road championship.
Following the influence of his two older brothers and due to his fascination for the Tour de France as a youth, Beppu began cycling in 1990 and took part in his first mountain bike event at the age of nine before winning his first road event three years later.
He joined the La Pomme team in 2003, finishing 14th in the Espoir Paris-Roubaix and 20th in the Espoir World Championships. In 2004, Beppu won the opening stage of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta in Italy, taking the win from his four Italian breakaway companions. He also won the mountains competition at the Ronde de l'Isard d'Ariège stage race in France. At the Tour du Loir-et-Cher in April, he finished second in stage five and, along with a fifth in stage two and a sixth in stage three, placed third overall. In 2003, Beppu won his Japanese U23 championship in Hiroshima, taking the 144km event by over four minutes.
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118th, GC, Tour de L’Ain
7th, overall, Young Rider
6th, stage 1, Tour de L’Ain
8th, stage 3, Sachsen-Tour International
3rd overall, Young Rider
13th, GC, Circuit de la Sarthe
10th, stage 2b, Circuit de la Sarthe
45th, stage 7, Tour de Langkawi
10th, stage 4, Tour de Langkawi
21st, stage 2, Tour de Langkawi |
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