YASUHIRO NAKAJIMA will again lead the Japan team in the FBD Milk Ras next month. Last year Nakajima, who has raced with the Navan club, was first, second and third on stages, but he had been doubtful about coming again as his Swiss team, Bianchi, were reluctant to release him for the nine day event. However, after negotiations Ras organiser Dermot Dignam confirmed that the 25 year old Japanese will be in the line up again.

After finishing third on stage six from Clonakilty to Clonmel last year, Nakajima won stage eight into Wexford and was narrowly beaten by Piotr Chmielewski of Poland at the end of stage eight into Newbridge.

Nakajima will be accompanied in the Ras, from May 18th to 26th, by Yuichi Numata, Tomoya Kanoh and Katsuaki Narita.