Junya Sano

Junya Sano (佐野 淳哉, Sano Jun'ya, born January 9, 1982) is a Japanese road bicycle racer currently riding for the UCI Continental team Matrix Powertag.

Born in Shimizu, Shizuoka, Sano begin his career in 2005 with the Japanese continental team Bridgestone Anchor. In the 2008 season, he changed over to Team Nippo–Endeka, based in San Marino, with which he placed fourth at the Japanese National Road Race Championships. The following year, for the 28th Asian Cycling Championships held in Tenggarong, inn Borneo, Indonesia, Sano ranked sixth in the individual time trial and fifth in the road race.

In 2010, Sano rode with Team Nippo, ranking seventh in the general classification of the Tour of Japan, third in the general classification of the Vuelta Ciclista a León, in Spain, third overall in the Tour de Kumano and second overall in the Tour de Hokkaido, both in Japan.

In 2012, he finished second in the Japanese National Time Trial Championships. Four months later, he was third in the Tour de Guadeloupe general classification. He joined Vini Fantini–Selle Italia for the 2013 season.

For the 2014 season, Sano competed with Nasu Blasen. In June 2014, he won the Japanese National Road Race Championships for the first time.