Mount Fuji to serve as backdrop for 2020 time trials

TOKYO (Reuters) - The foothills of Mount Fuji will be the setting for the individual time trial events at the Tokyo Olympics, 2020 organisers and world cycling's governing body (UCI) announced on Wednesday.

(Reuters)

The course would start and finish at the Fuji Speedway circuit at the base of the mountain, they said in a joint statement.

"With the Olympic Road Race routes already revealed, all road cycling events have now been unveiled," said UCI President David Lappartient in a media release.

"The combination of the stunning scenery of the Mount Fuji region and the stern challenge that the Olympic and Paralympic courses will deliver a fantastic spectacle for cycling fans in Japan and across the world."

The course length is approximately 22.1km, with an elevation gain of approximately 423m. The men will complete two laps during their time trial while the women will do one.

Fuji Speedway, which previously hosted the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix, will also play host to the Paralympic cycling road race, individual team trial and team relay events.

(Reporting by Jack Tarrant; Editing by Peter Rutherford)