Atsushi Oka Explained

Atsushi Oka
Birth Date:3 September 1995
Birth Place:Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Height:1.63m (05.35feet)[1]
Weight:57kg (126lb)
Discipline:Road
Role:Rider
Amateuryears1:2013
Amateurteam1:C Project
Amateuryears2:2013
Amateurteam2:Cannondale–Champion System
Amateuryears3:2014–2015
Amateurteam3:EQA
Proyears1:2017–2019
Proteam1:[2]
Proyears2:2020–2021
Proteam2:[3] [4]
Proyears3:2021–2022
Proyears4:2023–

is a Japanese professional cyclist, who currently rides for UCI Continental team .

Career

After three years at Japanese UCI Continental team, Oka signed with French UCI ProTeam in 2020, joining compatriots Fumiyuki Beppu, Masahiro Ishigami, and Hideto Nakane. Oka made his debut for the team at the 2020 La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

On 29 June, Oka signed with, joining teammate Masahiro Ishigami, who had signed a month earlier.[8]

Personal life

Oka's older brother Yasumasa is also a professional cyclist.

Major results

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 Active Rider classification, AlUla Tour

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: ATSUSHI OKA - Team NIPPO DELKO One Provence. . 29 October 2020.
    2. Web site: Atsushi Oka. ProCyclingStats. 29 October 2020.
    3. Web site: NIPPO DELKO ONE PROVENCE. UCI. 29 October 2020.
    4. Web site: Les coureurs du Team NIPPO DELKO One Provence. French. The riders of Team NIPPO DELKO One Provence. . 20 December 2019. 29 October 2020.
    5. Web site: 1ère étape de la Tropicale Amissa Bongo – 3ème place pour Biniam Girmay Hailu. French. 1st stage of the Tropical Amissa Bongo - 3rd place for Biniam Girmay Hailu. . 21 January 2020. 29 October 2020.
    6. Web site: UCI initiates bank guarantee proceedings against Nippo Delko One Provence after riders complain. Daniel. Benson. CyclingNews. 5 November 2020. 28 April 2021.
    7. Web site: Oka banned for doping positive as Delko in more financial trouble. CyclingNews. 28 April 2021. 28 April 2021.
    8. Web site: Transfert - Atsushi Oka rejoint le Team NIPPO-Provence-PTS Conti. French. Transfer - Atsushi Oka joins Team NIPPO-Provence-PTS Conti. Nicolas. Gauthier. Cyclism'Actu. 2 July 2021. 7 July 2021.