Venga, Venga! Starting in 20 seconds.
Venga, Venga! Starting in 10 seconds.
21st September 2014 Tour DE Nasu
The first Tour DE Nasu is off! To the cheers of the home crowd
The Nasu Vengas racers are pedalling with all their might.
This is the first time a race has been held in their home town,
The Vengas staff and racers that were only established this year,
they have high expectations I think. That's right.
Well, as they head towards the goal, what kind of drama will unfold?
You can do it!
4 months earlier
Nasu Credit Union
Hello, I'm back. Good work.
Here. The last half of the year's results. Sign it and turn it in.
How was it Teraoka?
Don't worry! I've gone through it properly.
Well, even if it's only for three years, it won't be like it was before.
Financial statement
But won't the other ranches be surprised when they hear I've increased the number of cows.
I won't let you down Teraoka. I'm moving ahead.
And the dairy farms of Nasu will thrive.
100,000,000 yen is enough. Please lend me your strength.
ERM... this area here is rented out for holiday homes isn't it?
If you use this as collateral then... I can't do that.
That's the land my forefathers reclaimed. For generations we've looked after and protected it.
So no matter what happens we can't sell it.
You should know that.
The situation with collateral is tricky.
Unlike in the past, if you don't get results...
For heavens sake, you're taking too much of a risk.
It's not long till you marry Miyako is it.
Hirai! Can I have a moment?
Yes.
From next week it's been decided that you will be dispatched
to be the manager of the Nasu Vengas road racing team.
What?!
It was set up this year. The Pro Biking team.
Their management seems to be in a harsh situation.
Vengas is closely connected with Nasu. Run with that as a concept.
This is a PR opportunity for Nasu.
It's an important part of the Credit Union's work
to support the revitalization of Nasu.
But... why me?
This is your last chance.
If you muck this up, you know what will happen.
The deadline is 2 months.
You've got 2 months to get results.
Ride Ride Ride
The deadline is 2 months. I've only got 2 months to turn the situation around.
What are you going to do if you can't do it?
I probably won't be able to go back.
What?!
I'm sorry Miyako.
Can you wait a little while to get married?
When I've returned to the Credit Union, definitely...
I'm sorry.
It's fine.
It's absolutely fine so don't worry about it.
So when 2 months have passed, you can propose to me again.
Somehow your last proposal was a bit lacking anyway.
I'll be waiting.
Welcome.
I am Hirai of the Nasu Credit Union. Welcome.
Is supervisor Oyamada available? Yes. He is this way.
Please go through. Thank you.
Venga venga! Venga venga!
Hello everyone!
Hello, hello, Welcome to Nasu animal world.
Hello, hello. Hello everyone.
Ah, hello, hello.
I am Oyamada, king of Nasu animal world as well Nasu Vengas's supervisor.
OK, OK, OK.
I'm Hirai of the Nasu Credit Union. Ah hello.
It's a blessing they've sent an excellent man such as yourself.
Only for Nasu, it's Nasuthing
A pun...
We are doing various things but
as you can see, the customers aren't coming back.
There is still damage left over from the earthquake. Its tough in Nasu right now.
I thought that setting up Vengas, would be a way to use bicycles to
revive Nasu and bring tourists back here.
By using bicycles? Riding a bicycle amidst all this nature.
After working up a good sweat on the bike heading of to an onsen.
Taking a break at the café on the plateau.
To a cyclist, I think Nasu is an amazing place.
I see.
It would be good if Vengas's name were up on a billboard but
we still don't have enough recognition from the local community. That's why you're in this predicament.
I know it's looking tough but please help us.
Ah, here they come!
Venga Venga!
Venga! Venga?
It's Spanish, it means do your best.
Venga! Venga! Venga!
40km/ph. They're even faster in a race. Try putting your head out.
The riders always have to contend with the wind when riding.
The rider in front's full body is hit by the wind, draining their stamina. It's tough.
In training they all take turns in front
but in a race, a rider called the "assist" rides in front of the ace,
becoming his wind-breaker.
"Ace" and "assist." In order for the ace to win
it's the rest of the team's job to use all their strength to assist him.
The person at the head is the captain Toyama.
But everyone calls him "Gazu"
Gazu is a veteran of the assist.
Thank you very much. Today they rode for about 150km.
150km?! Really like going from Nasu to Tokyo.
That's right. They cover that distance nearly every day.
Try and hold it. What!
OK, OK, I'll try.
Ah it's light! Isn't it! here, take it.
It's light! It's light right!
It weighs no more than 6.8kg.
Gazu is... Let us have some too.
It's some office ladies. They said they'd visit when they get time.
Seriously? Look, look, look.
The right one's boobs are wobbling! Ah, shake it, shake it, shake it.
Yukito!
You guy's, have a care. Follow Yuri's example.
Right, everyone as you are, and listen up.
This person joining us as manager, from the Nasu Credit Union
is Hirai Mamoru. Hello I'm Hirai Mamoru.
Mamoru! It's nice to meet you. You can call me Gazu.
And this guy over here is Nakamura Yuri. Hey!
Yuri is our ace! Nice to meet you.
I'm super happy we've got a manager. Ah, there's the washing. Well..
and there's the food too. No more taking out the rubbish.
It's great Subaru. Hey, I'm your senior!
Hold on a minute! You've got the wrong idea.
I've come to sort out your financial situation.
If we don't improve your finances, next year there won't be a Vengas.
Furthermore it's difficult to increase sponsor revenue
for a minor sport like road racing. Minor sport?
If you can't expect to increase the revenue then you can only reduce the expenditure.
The biggest impact would be to cut labour costs. Lay offs?
What! Lay offs? Is that true? Hey.
First we will have to do a through cost cut.
Of which the first thing is to move the office and rider's quarters.
A Primary school?
Since the school closed in March,
I managed to talk them into letting us borrow it for free.
You should have discussed this with us first. And what if I had?
The team doesn't have time for that.
Gazu! You came!
Ah... Hello! Hello!
Ah good afternoon. Good afternoon.
Gazu you came! Can we carry anything for you?
We can't sponsor you with money but at least we can lend a hand.
Thank you very much.
Gazu! What's up?
We can't live here. The rooms are too big.
1 person per classroom is plenty isn't it.
There isn't even air conditioning.
It'll be fine. Nasu's summer's are cool.
We can use the Home EC. room for cooking and the Gym at night for training.
And there are showers too. Think about it a bit.
There's only shower's. We won't be able to rid our bodies of weariness without a bath.
Now, now, now, look here.
Hirai. We've been able to cut quite a lot of cost with this move right.
7. Saturday, training adjustment 8. Sunday, Koshu road race
Testing, testing. Hey, are you listening?
This is a message for all the Vengas riders.
Please assembly promptly in the third grade classroom.
Good work.
Sorry for interrupting you when your busy.
I gathered you because there's something we urgently need to discuss.
Can you please withdraw from the Koshu road race in two weeks time.
What? Hirai, what are you saying?
I've calculated the costs of participating and the only thing to do is call it off.
We will save 250,000yen.
Considering the cost, withdrawing is the right thing...
You must be kidding!
We train every day, just so that we can win a race.
There's no such thing as a race it's okay to pull out of.
Well, can you really win?
So far, in the 3 races entered, we've placed 10th or lower.
So, right now there's no point in entering.
There is!
There is a point.
The people who come to cheer us on. What?
The people who came today to help us, they'll come too.
If there are people who are cheering for us, we have to ride.
Koshu road race fans are you having fun?!
Are you getting excited? How is it?
It's a good feeling isn't it! So finally Kurimura
Right now it looks like there are 6 racers breaking into the remaining 3 laps.
The thing to focus on is how long they can stick it out for.
That's right. And in the middle of those 6 riders
the attention is on Toyama Gazunari. He's a veteran who just turned 39.
Surely he is the backbone of the Nasu Vengas team.
That's right. So what about the break away group.
Will they be coming any time soon?
Everyone, he's coming. He's coming, he's coming, he's coming.
OK everyone, a massive applause for the riders!
Hey Gazu!
Go! Do your best! Go!
Hey! Venga venga!
What do you think? Hirai. It's amazing right!
Could they possibly win? Hmm, the road race is not such a easy thing.
Gazu's break away will use up a lot of stamina.
I don't think his legs will make it to the end. So why is he breaking away?
For the sake of the team. Some of the group break away so that the riders
behind them don't have to face the wind. It's an implicit rule.
It's the Proton next! Is he coming? He's come!
He's come right. Has he come, has he come.
It's the final 3 laps, and in the middle of the group, a battle for position has started.
The gap is being extended. He's coming.
Here they come!
Well, let's take a look at the time gap. It's 30 seconds.
30 seconds when not long ago it was 50. All at once they're bunched together.
Hey! Go, go!
A time gap of 30secs will be passed on to the 5 at the front?
Just now a rider fell off Fell off? What's their number?
152 is Nasu Vengas's Toyama. Toyama Gazunari has fallen!
One of the lead group, Toyama, has fallen...
Get up, get up! Is he okay?
Gazu. Venga, venga Gazu.
Your turn is coming.
Are you okay! I'm fine!
Right! Go go go go!
He's started to ride!
What a comeback.
How is he? His left wrist is broken.
Are you saying he rode to the end with a broken wrist?
Unbelievable! For twenty years he's been the man who assists the ride.
Why... why did he go so far.
Try asking the man in question.
Welcome back. Ah! You surprised me.
Suddenly calling out like that. I'm sorry.
ERM... What?
Is your wrist okay?
It's completely fine. It will soon be healed.
How was the race?
Don't you think that the people of Nasu were thrilled to be a part of the race.
Yes?
Up till now I've been making cuts without laying anyone off,
I've wanted someone to come forward and say they want to quit.
This is the first time I'm hearing your true intentions.
I really don't get it.
The wages aren't high. There's no personal glory to be expected in assisting.
So why is it you keep on going?
Come with me for a bit.
Hey mum, it's been a while.
Actually there was one time I was selected to be the team ace.
Eh?! The team ace had taken a fall and broken a bone.
Like a gift from god I was able to take a turn in the ace's seat.
Maybe I would become the number 1.
I wanted my mother to see me climbing the winners podium.
I said I'd definitely win!
At that time...
We pulled out of the race, returned to Nasu and went en masse to the funeral.
But somehow, some part of me was relieved.
It was scary.
Taking the lead as ace.
It was frightening having the team's success of failure riding on my shoulders.
Well, anyway, someone like that can never become the ace.
In the bottom of my heart I realised I just wasn't equipped.
Did you ever think of giving up road racing?
Not once, it's strange isn't it.
Well, I guess it's because I love it. So I decided to assist.
I'd use all my power to assist and after the race I'd oversee my team mates.
And I'd be told "Thank you."
What?
But, if we don't do it, there won't even be the possibility.
This area is getting poorer and at this time the Credit Union is getting cold feet.
This area will be destroyed.
Oomori! Oomori Oomori!
You passed the inspection.
Heavens! Thank you. It's nothing.
This is thanks to you Hirai No.
Truly, thank you. From here on, we will give it our all!
Oomori! Oomori!
They're from Nasu. The pro road racing team called Vengas.
I've talked to various people and got their cooperation...
I want Nasu to be thrive but, really doesn't have anything to do with us.
I want to help out, I really really want to but,
even though it's you Hirai who's asking, I'm afraid I can't.
I want to give you a break but...
If you want to see the team race, well then this...
Somehow, can you do something. I too, it's tricky...
Yuri! Go from here!
Hey! Hey!
I friend of yours? Ah? A woman?
Why, if it isn't Mamoru.
It's good to use the closed down school.
It's like re-living your high school days.
It's just like you to revive a place like this.
That's not it. It's just I heard that you can rent this place for free.
But you looked around at different places didn't you.
Yes. A community centre and another abandoned primary school.
But at the community centre each athlete wouldn't have their own room.
And at the abandoned primary school there weren't any showers.
Well, there's no air-con here either, so it'll be pretty interesting in the summer.
What is it?
Hey, do you remember when I came back here from Tokyo?
Yes.
I was kind of worn out, I spent everyday, lazing about.
But you were working your hardest for the sake of others.
When I saw you I thought you were doing the best you could.
What's this! Are you embarrassed?
Am not!
That smile is the best!
Give it a rest. Ah! You are embarrassed!
I'm not! You're grinning! Eh! No...
You're embarrassed.
You're not cute in the slightest.
How did it go?
I see. It's going to be tough.
Koyamada. Yes.
ERM... Is there a possibility we could hold a race in Nasu?
A race...
The racing federation is enthusiastic. It's just that...
Is there a problem? In order to hold a race,
you have to get permission from all the inhabitants in the vicinity of the race.
Here! In this area of holiday homes we won't be able to contact the owners.
Here... Yes?
This land has been rented out for holiday homes hasn't it.
What about using the land as collateral.
Ah, well... What?
I'm sorry for asking such a odd question.
I told you that the time limit was 2 months.
What on earth is it you're doing?
Anyone could come up with the cost cuts you've made.
Isn't there something else you can do?
Try thinking about it one more time.
There's just one more week.
Ah, I get it! We have to raise the teams popularity.
That's it isn't it. How so?
It's obvious isn't it! We'll hold a race here in Nasu.
Tour de Nasu! That's right Tour de Nasu!
I'm currently in the middle of negotiations but there are various tricky problems.
It's difficult... difficult.
Hirai.
They say the best way to rebuild a team is to lay people off.
Yes.
In that case... please cut me.
Hey! I'll quit road racing and find another way.
What are you saying?! Your still a racer and will continue to be.
If I quit here, you won't have to pay me and go further into the red.
And also... if we don't produce results it's my responsibility.
If we get better results we might be able to attract some sponsors.
That's wrong. It's not only down to you!
I too...
agree. Hey, what are you saying!
It's the only thing to do to keep Vengas going.
Mamoru! It's fine Gazu.
However... The person that I want to quit is
Me?!
What?! What are you saying?!
It's unthinkable to have a Vengas without Gazu!
What's the meaning of this Hirai.
I'm thinking of Vengas's future.
Sabaru, Yukito, Kousuke, Takahiro
Their wages are low, it's not effective to cut them.
In that case, the captain or Yuri are the only choices.
However, if there's no Yuri the team's fighting strength will dive.
Then there's the captain's age to take in account.
You can't pay money to a declining athlete.
What! Yukito!
Your wrist is also still hurting you isn't it.
Please.
For the sake of Vengas, please resign.
I understand.
Could you give me just a little bit of time?
Gazu.
Shit!
You layed him off?
It couldn't be helped. It couldn't be helped... you say.
After all, he's already 39 years old.
It's not an unusual age to retire at.
With that will you return to the Credit Union?
Miyako...
When I go back, let's get married.
With that, things will go back to how they were.
Miyako?
It won't go back to how they were.
I've always been waiting.
Like in the past, I'm always, always waiting for you to come home.
Miyako...
I don't need a proposal like that!
Mamoru!
Yes?!
I...
I don't want to quit.
Road racing is the only thing I have.
But...
If you say it's for the team... There's nothing I can say.
I'm very sorry.
The reason I suggested laying off the captain
wasn't for the sake of the team.
It's for my own sake.
Hirai, it's all down to you. No.
Thank you so very much.
Oomori! Oomori!
Ever since then, I've been afraid of anything and everything.
And for that reason I started to refuse financing to people.
I was told by my boss that watching me was unbearable.
"In two months you must restore Vengas" he said.
"If you don't manage to improve things you can't come back to the Credit Union"
"This is your last chance"
I didn't want to get the sack so
I layed you off...
It's awful right.
Yes.
If you admit that here and now it will truly be over.
What should I do?
I have no idea.
It's just that in life...
There are times when you're in the tailwind and times when you're in the headwind.
However, no matter how the wind is blowing,
hitting the pedals one after the other and heading forward is the only thing to do.
Yep, I really want to race!
Hey Mamoru, can I try and do it just one more time.
Can't we hold a race in Nasu. Can we try and make it work?
Of course, I don't need a salary.
If we do that, you can finish up here without getting the sack.
If I'm going to quit anyway... At the end
I want to show all the people of Nasu our riding spirit.
You want me to persuade the holiday home owners?
Yes.
Why do you want to hold a bike race?
If the riders can show their riding spirit,
It think that Teraoka won't lose out.
I think the people of Nasu will also be invigorated.
Please leave.
Yuri. Isn't it the ace who leads the team to victory.
The real ace is everyone in the team saying they want to win.
I think everyone at Vengas thinks "let us win!"
I know that you, more than anyone, has put the effort in.
Mr Teraoka.
It's still not everyone but they've all been contacted.
Thank you very much.
Do your best!
Yes.
Aren't you getting ahead of yourself?
We sent you to reform their administration
and here you come asking to borrow money.
What are your intentions?
Please let me explain.
At the opening of Utsunomiya "Japan Cup" ornament, there were 70,000 people.
If we can get the race invited to Nasu, Nasu will be acknowledged as a racing town.
The number of tourists will increase... There's one thing I'd like to ask.
You're 100% sure this plan will work?
Well I'm not sure about 100%.
But, if we do nothing, there's no chance. The area will become more impoverished.
When the area becomes impoverished the cowardly Credit Union and the area
will be destroyed.
Those are your words.
Has the old you returned?
The despatch to Vengas was a gamble to see what you would do.
Thank you very much.
21st September 2014 Tour de Nasu
Hey! Hirai!
You did it didn't you. Thank you very much.
It's thanks to everyone. Hey everyone. This is our chance.
We've brought lots of Nasu's wonderful things to show.
So they'll come back to Nasu again. Right!
Line up, line up.
Everyone welcome to the Tour de Nasu.
Unfortunately we're delayed due to weather, but we will be starting shortly.
The racers entrance is over there. It's looking good.
Firstly the home team Nasu Vengas!
Venga! Venga! Venga!
Venga! Venga!
To huge applause the Nasu Vengas team are making their appearance.
This loud applause is because its the home town. I think the racers are very happy.
That's right. They're starting to get all fired up.
Starting in 20 seconds.
Starting in 10 seconds.
The first Tour de Nasu, start!
The 22 teams and 153 riders all have got off to a start.
Each team has their own strategy and personal expectations.
Seeing who will make the challenges will be extremely exciting.
As they head towards the goal, what kind of drama will unfold?
This year is the first year the Tour de Nasu has been held.
As you can see, it's in the midst of nature, a circular course of 150km,
after which there's a climb of 15.2km to the summit of the mountain.
Hirose, what should we pay particular attention too in this race?
What I will be focusing on is the Nasu Vengas team.
Rather than a business supported group, it's a community based team that businesses and individuals are supporting
local business and people are supporting. I'm looking forward to seeing
how this will effect the race. I see.
Shall we see how the race has unfolded up until now?
Up until now each team has attacked many times
but no team has managed to break away. This is due to harsh up and down
nature of the course.
Here is where Vengas attacks!
The racer Toyama is making a challenge.
With this attack he'll separate the wheat from the chaff.
This attack emerges around the time all the rider's become tired.
Which means the timing is pretty tight for Vengas.
From here on we should see the challenges.
The race has finally entered the mountain stretch.
That assent looks painful doesn't it. It is.
In this difficult stretch the fans have written messages for them.
Seeing the messages gives the riders energy to go on.
Nasu Vengas's rider Toyama and Nakamura are flying along.
This is an attack. Attack!
I'm sorry, you'll have to let us stand out for the locals.
It's fine. Before long he'll fall behind.
The mountain course continues it's harsh route upwards.
Rider Toyama is continuing to ride ahead of Nakamura.
Now, finally the mountain summit has come into sight.
Will the Vengas break away be decided here.
Rider Toyama has managed to keep at the front thanks to local cheering,
but it looks like it's been tough. He's been protecting the ace whilst
repeatedly blocking attacks. Yes.
If Vengas manage to break away here it could be their first championship victory.
Gazu, I'll go in front. Thank you very much.
Here rider Nakamura attacks! The race has been entrusted to the ace.
Gazu!
Gazu! Why are you giving up!
Step on the pedals!
You told me, didn't you, one step at a time, keep heading forward.
Gazu! Gazu!
That's right!
Gazu, one step at a time!
Step on your pedals!
That's it!
Gazu go for it!
Gazu you can do it! Gazu keep going!
One step at a time Gazu.
Venga venga! Venga venga! Good luck, you can do it!
Gazu You can do it! Go! Go! You can do it!
Gazu keep going!
You can do it! Go! Go!
Go!
Gazu you can do it!
OK!
Congratulations to the winner of third place. Thank you very much.
How are you feeling now? As I thought to get 3rd place is
a disappointing result,
next time I will get first place.
To be part of the last championship is cool though.
I think that Gazu is indispensable to Vengas
What!? So many people gathered round.
I don't know if we have found a new sponsor.
I'm really sorry.
What words are coming out of your mouth! Hey you!
Mamoru!
Miyako...
Let's get married!
That's more the kind of the image I was looking for.
What?!
Smile. Even more! Smile!
OK.
As I thought, Mamoru's smile is the best!
You too, Please look after me.
Please do.