Today, journalists and the general public alike will all gather in the small town of Welshpool, Wales to watch the new strain of SARS that are have recently appeared in the area. However, these are not medical experts; these are OCM journalists and cycling fans.
  
  SARS, or “Super All-Round Sprinters” are a new breed of rider that have hit the OCM circuit over the past few seasons. Previously, an OCM manager would be content in simply making a rider a specialist in the sprints or climbs. However, with the increased competition of both teams and riders, managers no longer seem satisfied to have a rider who can ‘only’ sprint or climb. These days, managers want riders who can do it all, hence the ‘all-round, who are usually blessed with a turn of pace, hence the ‘sprinter, and who have managed to push their bodies and talents beyond what has previously thought possible, hence the 'super'.
  
  SARS
  
  The SARS have been kicking around OCM for a while, occasionally facing off against each other in small one day races. However, by a stroke of luck, for supporters anyway, no less than three SARS are entered in the Cyrmu Taith, a 3 day Tour around Wales, which starts today in Welshpool. The Taith favours the rider with a balanced combination of hills and time trialling skills, along with some ability in climbing. Therefore, this Tour, with the possible exception of Essex, is the Tour ideally suited for the SARS.
  
  First up is a Middle Eastern SARS who, with the possible exception of Matthias Drejbo (Telek@m), has taken his ability further than any other rider in OCM. The “Beast from the Middle East”, Salim Wajeeh (Equipe 44), starts as a massive favourite. Wajeeh has an almost perfect combination of hills, time trialling and climbing, which will make him very hard to beat. The Beast, who lies 6th in the OCM rankings, has already taken 4th place in the Volta au Porto this season, but will surely be looking to stand on the top of podium after tomorrow evening's last stage.
  
  Just behind the Beast in terms of ability is Susumu Miyazaki (Hommerts Cycling Team), who is already an established name in OCM both on and off the road. The Japanese superstar

had a stellar Season 13, finishing 2nd in the Volta and taking top 3 in the YC for the Volta, Essex and Perm. The Asian strain of SARS has not performed quite as well this season and was recently devastated by his abject performance in his home race, the Mito – Tokyo. This combined with a weakness in the hills will make it difficult for Susu.
  
  Our third SARS is Vasco Assis (redop), or “VA”, one of a prestigious group of Young Guns for Season 14. Assis has certainly proved he can be described as ‘super’ this season with a stunning performance in the inaugural edition of the Monte Rosa Tour, claiming victory in the GC and YC and two stage wins. Assis' performances this season have seen his team, redop, climb the ranks into Division 2 which is why they have qualified for the Cymru Taith. The Portuguese youngster can ride in the hills but is no specialist and Wales’ punishing valleys will make it difficult for him.
  
  Not so 'super'
  
  Following in the footsteps of these three SARS are the new Spanish duo of Inocente Castaneda (Cuevas team) and Abraham Cojuango (tundra). These two have climbed through the ranks of Spanish cycling together and, despite being on different teams, will surely benefit from each other's presence in the Tour. Whilst these two can certainly claim to be 'all-round sprinters', with both being able to get up the hills and climbs, they cannot be classes as 'super' until they work on their time trialling skills. Perhaps 'ARS' would be a better description until then?
  
  Australian Errol Coventry (GLT27) is another rider who can be considered in this category. All three, though, have the potential to become SARS with some time trial training. With the King Stage of the Tour being an Individual Time Trial around Newport, it would be a surprise to see an ARS on the podium.
  
  Other than the riders already mentioned, which others could make an impression? Certainly, Gerald Karda (Team WonderDee) is not a rider to be ignored, especially as the Englishman comes into the Tour on a high after seeing his country win the recent Clash of Nations tournament. Bartosz Ozóg (omega pharma lotto) is a rider with bags of ability but

has not, as yet, showed it to the world. Perhap Wales will be the place he finally does?
  
  SARS also seen in Perm
  
  Whilst Wales will see a multitude of SARS and ARS, the Perm Tour will see only two SARS, though perhaps the most famous ones. Broderick Rimmer (Equipo Easy On) is a name known to everyone associated with OCM, having been in the top 10 of the OCM rankings for the last two seasons. Matthias Drejbo (Telek@m) is just as famous as Rimmer though probably because of what people think he can achieve as opposed to what he has achieved. Drejbo comes to Perm to defend his Green Jersey and there are some pundits who think he is could make a impression in the GC here. However, others believe the mountain top finish of the King Stage will be too tough even for Super Matt. The upcoming Essex Tour will be a Tour far more suited to his abilities.
  
  The jury is still out on whether Aksana Putin (Bajen Belfast) should be given the tag SARS. Putin can certainly sprint but is more well-known as a climber. Perhaps we need to coin the phrase "Super All-round climber", or SACS?
  
  SARS and ARS on show this week
  
  Cymru Taith
  
   Salim Wajeeh (Equipe 44) SARS
   Susumu Miyazaki (Hommerts Cycling Team) SARS
   Vasco Assis (redop) SARS
  
   Inocente Castaneda (Cuevas team) ARS
   Abraham Cojuango (tundra) ARS
   Errol Coventry (GLT27) ARS
  
  Perm Tour
  
   Matthias Drejbo (Telek@m) SARS
   Broderick Rimmer (Equipo Easy On) SARS