Special Thanks / Photo By @nofilterkenji & @nigiri_osb
The main characters are not just the athletes racing.
Yes, we must not forget that there are photographers right there, capturing these moments in photos.
In the roughly seven years I’ve been participating in sfiDARE CRIT, beyond everything I’ve been able to communicate to everyone, I’ve constantly realized that there are photographers there to capture and preserve its history.
Photos don't have voices.
However, I feel that they are a wonderful form of expression—looking at them can bring smiles or sometimes tears, and can make even the past feel as if it were happening right now.
One of the photographers who traveled with me to Kyoto this time, Kenji-kun, said something about sfiDARE CRIT that left an impression on me.
"I want to make a photo book of sfiDARE."
"It would definitely turn out to be something great, and it feels like a waste if we don't leave that record behind."
"But... it seems like it will take a lot of time to look back through everything."
"Even so, I think it’s well worth the time spent."
Those words rang out clearly from the back seat of the car.
Kenji-kun was a peer who knew about sfiDARE CRIT before I did, and he is a reliable presence who travels not only domestically but also on overseas expeditions.
Believing that Kenji-kun's vision will surely come true someday, I would like to move on to the next part of our story.
Please come to the venue
It is a very beautiful, yet heartbreaking moment when an athlete is frustrated with themselves.
In racing, there are events that can only be experienced in a race.
They are things no one can control; sometimes they bring happy results, and sometimes they can be cruel.
Understanding that, the athletes straddle their bikes, refine their cleat catch precision to start pedaling again, and if they nail the start-dash better than anyone else, their ranking naturally goes up—only to fall again; it's a constant cycle.
But the athletes never give up on anything and will find their way back into the lead pack.
Therefore, it’s something I have never forgotten when running a race.
That is, never giving up.
I’m putting it very bluntly, but I believe that is the only way.
That mindset also applies to everyday work.
Dealing with things you don’t understand at work, or aiming for operational improvements, for example.
I strongly believe that the key to resolving absolutely anything is to never give up on even a single thing.
Preparation and the Event Day
What supports sfiDARE CRIT is, without a doubt, people.
Whether it’s a pleasant sunny day or setup in the rain like this time, they don't stop working, preparing the best conditions for the athletes and spectators.
Thanks to such reassuring support, we can approach the race with peace of mind.
Now, I would like to shift to what it was like on the day of the race.
It was held on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Kyoto Sanga Stadium in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture.
I hope everyone will watch how sfiDARE CRIT unfolded and feel something unique for yourselves.
KYOTO NIGHT CRIT
It’s finally starting.
This is a mysterious, spine-tingling feeling you don’t get in everyday life.
The athletes first pour all their effort into the qualifying race.
The weather remains unchanged, and they are sliding through the rain in what can hardly be called good conditions.
The referees give safety reminders for the race, the athletes accept them properly, grip their handlebars tight, and wait for the whistle to blow.
Despite the bad weather, I am overwhelmed by the sense of speed from the athletes, who don't let the conditions faze them in the slightest.
Going fast is, quite simply, cool.
While some might interpret it as "dangerous," that form is truly cool, and the athletes are purely committing to competing.
I, too, step onto the course to perform my own race.
Feeling a bit nervous and chilly, I had a strange sensation that didn't feel like a summer in Kyoto.
I intend to enjoy the race itself.
Among this field of strong contenders, I want to give it my all.
In the qualifying race, I regret to say I could not advance to the final stage.
Even so, I was able to give my all until the very end.
And so, the next battle moves on to the ranking finals.
The number of laps increases compared to the qualifiers, making it even tougher. Preparing for that, the athletes get ready for the race.
Please continue to enjoy the sights of the KYOTO NIGHT CRIT.
Finally
There is a race here that is refreshingly simple in the best possible way.
The joy of friends coming together, focusing and obsessing over the same thing, and finishing with smiles and peace signs overflows from this event.
Racing is truly an irreplaceable, fun moment in time.
I feel from the bottom of my heart that this is why I can’t quit—because that feeling has stayed with me all this time.
sfiDARE CRIT will continue to grow even further.
And I want to keep growing our fanbase.
I want everyone around the world to see these scenes.
I want to set a small goal: that even one more person will have their heart race and realize what a wonderful machine a bicycle is.
As always, I love sfiDARE CRIT.
From Uno-chan
