Yukihiro Doi × ZenStyle
This time, we had the opportunity to interview Yukihiro Doi, a leading Japanese professional road racer who has been active on the world stage.
Although bicycles are a familiar part of our daily lives, road racing is a sport that is somewhat unfamiliar to many. I would like to ask Mr. Doi about the appeal of road racing, which is one of the Olympic sports, as well as his sense of fashion.
——— As the number of road bike riders in Japan increases, so does interest in road racing. Doi has been working hard to spread the appeal of road racing since his active days, but what is the appeal of road bikes and road racing?
Doi: Road racing is not a sport where the strongest athlete can always win; it's a very complicated sport.
A team usually consists of seven to eight members, with more than half of them assisting the ace.
Based on each team's strategy, they will draw up a story to win and carry it out.
Whether the story turns out to be a hit or a miss depends on the situation.
The assistant's job is divided into two roles: bringing food and water to the ace and supporting them to avoid wind resistance, and keeping an eye on the development of the race, working to reduce the opposing team's energy and shape the race.
Although it may seem like an individual sport, it is a sport that cannot be won without teamwork.
The ace is for the team, the assist is for the ace. They help each other and aim for victory.
The appeal of road racing lies in the strong bond between the ace and the assistant, and the wonderful teamwork.
——— It's not a simple individual battle, but teamwork and strategy play a major role in the race. Seeing the interactions within the team and the tactics with other teams makes the race even more enjoyable. Road racing is one of the events at this year's Tokyo Olympics. What do you think are the highlights of this race?
Doi: The course layout for this year is a tough mountainous layout overall, and it is said to favor athletes who are good at mountain climbing.
The first half of the course is a series of gentle ups and downs through urban areas, but from the middle onwards, the runners will be faced with tough mountainous terrain that will cause them great hardship.
In terms of race highlights, road racers can be roughly divided into two types of riders.
They are sprinters who excel at high-speed finish lines, and climbers who excel on tough mountain courses.
The highlight of this race will be how these climbers, who are renowned for their performances in the mountain stages of the Tour de France, will tackle the heat of Japan and the tough mountain course that awaits them in the latter half of the course, and how they will race to win a medal.
Summers in Japan are harsh and humid compared to other parts of the world.
Meanwhile, hydration is also important.
How will they replenish their supplies? Also, what kind of food will they consume during the long distance race of 244km in such heat? I think this will be an interesting aspect to watch.
——— The long 244km course from Musashino Forest Park to Fuji Speedway, with its many ups and downs and Japan's climate, sounds harsh just from hearing about it, but the large-scale course unlike any other sport is appealing.
This is a road race that can be watched from public roads, but are there any recommended viewing spots that are worth seeing?
Doi: From the start until around the 30km mark, this year's road race will feature gentle ups and downs through urban areas, and we expect it to be a high-speed race with each country vying to win a medal.
This first half of the course is located in urban areas and has easily accessible locations, so if you want to enjoy a casual, world-class road race, we recommend the first half of the course.
In the second half of the course, a tough mountain course awaits, including Mikuni Pass, which is passed twice.
The thrill of seeing people riding bicycles down steep slopes at other-worldly speeds is a testament to the professional skills that are so far removed from the real world. I personally recommend it. 
--- I see,
The tactics from the beginning will be interesting, but the Mikuni Pass, where you can experience the speed of a road race, looks terrifying and worthwhile...
The road race will begin on July 25th, the first day of the Tokyo Olympics. Unlike other events which are held on courses within stadiums, the race will be held on public roads, so you can watch the road race without a ticket, so if you're interested, be sure to come and watch!
We would also like to ask about Doi's fashion sense, as he has been a regular customer of Ritmo Latino MILANO for some time and has recently started using Urban Sun sneakers and L4K3 bags.
——— When I think of Doi, I can't help but picture him in cycling wear, but what kind of fashion style do you usually wear?
Doi: I usually wear simple clothes.
Denim, T-shirt and sneakers.
I also run every day while walking my dog, so I'm usually wearing sportswear.
Due to the nature of my job, I don't have many opportunities to wear cycling gear, give lectures or talks, or work in Western clothes.
——— It's true that Doi often appears at events in cycling wear.
At talk events, we sometimes see you in casual clothes or suits, but are there any points or preferences you keep in mind when choosing your clothes?
If I had to be picky, I'd say that cycling wear is all about the body-hugging type, and it's very tight.
That's why I'm particular about wearing suits and jeans in a tight fit rather than a loose fit. 
———Thank you for using the Japan-exclusive "L4K3" bag, which is part of the ZenStyle lineup .
This item has only just been released, but how does it feel to use?
Doi: I really like Lake bags.
Although the colors used are colorful, they have a sophisticated adult feel.
I am a former athlete and now a person who loves sports.
As a sports fan, I love that I can use it hard when I go out to play sports, and it's also great that it's stylish. 
——— The texture and coloring of this bag make it perfect for sporty casual styles and occasions. It's hard to find casual bags that look stylish when carried by adults, so we hope you'll use L4K3 bags to suit your style and the occasion!
And the Ritmo Latino watch that you have been using for a long time. There are trends in watches as well, with minimalist designs becoming popular, and smartwatches are now common to see. Some people don't even think about wearing watches, but what role do watches play in creating your style, Mr. Doi?
Doi: It plays an important role in bringing the whole outfit together.
I think the appeal of wristwatches is that they come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, allowing for a lot of fun.
——— Among the many watch brands to choose from, from smartwatches to luxury mechanical watches, what is it about Ritmo Latino that appeals to you?
Doi: I think a watch is a symbol of a person's character, and it's something that draws attention.
I have made many friends through watches.
Each Ritmo Latino watch is truly unique.
It's attracting attention in Europe, America, and Australia, where I currently live.
I was attracted to the unique and stylish Ritmo watches. 
--- thank you!
Because there are so many options, and in some cases it's even possible to not wear it at all, it has become an item that can clearly express a person's tastes, preferences, and individuality. I would be happy if someone like Doi, who is a stoic athlete but also unique and humorous, would like a Ritmo Latino watch! 
▲Doi-san posts atmospheric and tasteful photos on his social media accounts. When we asked him to take photos of my personal Ritmo Latino, he gave us photos that were so good they could be used as a brand banner. Photographing a watch is difficult because of reflections and glare, but the photos were amazing!
———So, do you have any announcements to make?
Doi: I'll be frank with you straight away, but I'm currently a presenter on a cycling channel called "GCN JAPAN" and I'm also a YouTuber.
If you have any questions about riding a bicycle, I hope you will watch the program I appear on and use it as reference.
And please subscribe to our channel!!
▼ GCN JAPAN
——— If you do a little preparation about road racing now, you'll have one more thing to look forward to at the Olympics, so please subscribe to our channel!
Would you like to give a message to your viewers and fans?
Doi: Cycling is a very minor sport and there aren't many opportunities to go and watch it, but it's a vehicle that everyone has definitely ridden at least once.
In fact, I will be sharing information through YouTube so that I can bring a smile to everyone's faces with bicycles, which are so close to home, so I would be happy if you could support me.
thank you.
Cycling is a convenient tool that can help you stay healthy.
I hope you will ride your bike a lot with the aim of getting a healthy body.
———Finally, this is something I always ask everyone: "What does 'time' mean to you, Doi-san?"
Doi: Whenever I want to achieve a goal, I work backwards and work my way through the process.
During my competitive career, the limited amount of time always put a strain on me.
To me, time is something that is limited and precious .
--- thank you very much!
I hope that through the sensibility of Mr. Doi, who has fought for Japan, you will be able to feel the charm of Ritmo Latino and Lake once again. On the other hand, I hope that this interview will spark an interest in road racing and Mr. Doi himself.
Be sure to check out Doi's Instagram as well as YouTube, where you can see some wonderful photos of Doi, and his dogs are adorable too!!
Yukihiro Doi Profile
Road racing cyclist and current presenter for the Global Cycling Network (GCN)
Date of Birth: September 18, 1983
Hometown: Yamagata Prefecture
Height/Weight: 169cm/60kg
Career
2004: Signed a professional athlete contract with Shimano Corporation
2005 Team Shimano Memory Corp
2006-2011 Skil Shimano Professional Cycling Team
2012 Team Argos-Shimano
2013-2015 Team UKYO
2016-2018 Team Matrix Power Tag
Combat history
2001 All Japan Cycling Championships Road Race Junior Championship
2003 Kadota Cup U-23 Road Race Winner
2003 All Japan Student Championship Individual Road Race Winner
2003 All Japan Intercollegiate Championships Bicycle Road Race (Intercollegiate Road) Winner
2003 Tour de Hokkaido Newcomer Award
2003 All Japan Cycling Championships Road Race U-23 2nd place
2003 and 2004 Challenge Cycle Road Race U-23 Winner
2006 UCI Asia Tour 2.2 Tour of Siam 2nd place overall
2007 UCI Asia Tour 2.HC Tour of Langkawi, 8th overall
2008 Japan Cup Cycle Road Race Best Asian Award
2010 UCI Europe Tour 2.HC Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, 6th place overall
2010 World Cycling Road Race Championships, completed in Australia
2010 UCI Asia Tour 2.HC Tour of Hainan, 8th place overall
2011 UCI World Tour Vuelta a España (Tour de Spain)
*First Japanese participant and finisher
2012 All Japan Cycling Championships Road Race Elite Winner
2012 UCI World Tour Vuelta a España (Tour de Spain)
*Participated and completed the race for the second consecutive year
2013 UCI Asia Tour 2.2 Tour de Kumano, 5th place overall
2013 UCI Asia Tour 2.2 Tour of East Java, 4th place overall
2013 Japan Pro Tour: 2nd place in the overall individual points ranking
2014 UCI Asia Tour 2.1 Tour of Iran, 10th overall
2014 World Championship Cycling Road Race, Spain
2014 Asian Championship Cycling Road Race, Kazakhstan Tournament
2015 UCI Asia Tour 2.1 Tour de Taiwan, 6th overall
2017 UCI Asia Tour 2.2 Tour de Tochigi, 10th overall
2017 Japan Pro Tour Oita Tournament Winner
2017 Japan Pro Tour: 4th place in the overall individual points ranking