Intro:

German sprinter Marcel Kittel has claimed the second edition of the Criterium of Saitama.

Script:

It's proving as popular with the locals, as it is with the cyclists - the second edition of the Criterium of Saitama, a 60km street circuit around the Japanese city.

A high quality field contained the likes of reigning Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Froome and Peter Sagan.

But it was German sprinter Marcel Kittel who prevailed, fending off the challenge of Sagan and Alexander Kristoff to reach the line first.

SOUNDBITE: Marcel Kittel

"I'm really happy to be able to win here. It was an amazing race with all the people next to the road, all the Japanese fans who really know how to celebrate cycling and how to do a good job."

Nibali finished ninth with last year's winner Froome not in the top ten after suffering mechanical problems.