Fans and Manga overlook the racing at the Japan Cup criterium (Getty) Source: Getty
The race featured a flurry of attacks - and crashes - throughout the 15 laps of the 2.25 kilometre circuit on the wet streets of Utsunomiya before Canola triumphed in the inevitable bunch sprint.
“After a mechanical problem I changed bikes then I came back to the bunch again and I stayed on the wheel until the last lap," Canolda said.
"So I took the last corner in the first four positions and outside the corner I went for the sprint so far to the finish line but fortunately the power on the legs was enough to remain in the front until the end”.
Welten described some of the chaotic action.
"On the last corner, it was so fast," Welten said. "I lost Michael Schär's wheel, so I was going for it on my own. Not long after, there was a couple of crashes and it was a hectic final.
"(Canola) was already ahead when I launched my sprint, and the podium was definitely the best I could do today."
"It was a totally different kind of racing today. We started full gas, and even though it is a loop with just two corners, you are almost standing still when you go round them. It was a crazy race and the slippery conditions added to this."
Porte was popular with the fans, but they were as popular with him.
"The fans here are incredible!" the Tasmanian said. "They love cycling and you don't come across fans like it anywhere else. It's been a good way to ease back into it."
Richie Porte meets some fans (Getty) Source: Richie Porte meets some fans (Getty)
"It was a fast criterium and the weather wasn't the best but it was nice to get back on the bike and ride with the guys."
Contador too was a welcome sight for fans, briefly out of retirement just for the Japan Cup:
This video is in Spanish but it should be easy to understand how much swag Contador will be taking home from generous fans:
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