The Germany Tour, the biggest race of the OCM calendar is almost upon us. Whilst the big names prepare for today's Prologue, let us concentrate on which of them are likely to figure.
  
  The battle for Yellow - A new name?
  
  With Swedish team Mypa and defending champion Yegor Astapkovich not entered for the race it is likely that a new name will be engraved on the Germany trophy in the next week.
  
  One name who many fancy is that of Viggo Monsen (Team Whalers). Viggo is highly tipped to be successful at this season's Germany Tour after a stunning season. The Norwegian picked up the Swiss Classic, Zürich-Bern-Zürich, and then took victory at Perm to join an exlusive group of riders to claim a Classic and a Tour victory. However, Monsen lacks one thing - the ability in the hills that most Germany winners have. Hills apart, he will certainly have a say in the GC.
  
  One name commonly used in Germany previews but less commonly used in the Tour's review is that of Sterling Dorsher (FFL). The Englishman has flattered to deceive in Germany a number of times but undoubtedly has the talent to perform here. Commonly acknowledged as the best climber in OCM, it is astonishing that he has never won OCM's highest profile race. Is this his year? The stats say yes but the formbook says no. It would, however, be a beautiful moment to see him take victory in what is perhaps his last appearance in Germany.
  
  Frank van

Galen (Il Grillo) is a rider known to all managers in OCM. The Dutchman has been considered one of the most talented climbers around for a while now. The Dutchman has been collecting OCM points for fun in the lower divisions but now has the chance to prove himself against the best in the best race in OCM. With a stunning combination of climbing and hill skills, van Galen has the talent to dominate this race though one questions whether he can raise his game.
  
  Other than these 3 a plethora of riders will be challenging for Yellow. Former winner Vernon Kings (Fairfield Flyers Cycling) enters the Tour with decent race shape but a total lack of form but one can never bet against a previous winner. Matthias Drejbo (Telek@m) injured himself early on in the Tour last year but surely has the ability to challenge for Yellow. And there are riders of the like of Travis Plowman (CCFC) and Mas''ud Qutaiba (skils) who have shown their ability in the one day races this year.
  
  The Green Goblin goes for the triple
  
  The fight for Green appears simpler with a select few riders in with a chance.
  
  The Green Goblin, Kyle Abston (CCFC), has been invincible over the past two seasons in Germany, with no one really able to get close to out-greening him. Abston enters Germany this year without as much support as before but with so much form in this race he will certainly be giving it 100% for Green.
  
  Perhaps the only

rider who has challenged Abston for Green is Broderick Rimmer (Equipo Easy On). However, the Bahaman has had a poor season and, instead it is his teammate and new boy Clarence Caraway who starts as captain. Whereas Caraway is relatively untested at the top level he certainly has the ability to shine in this race. However, one has to question whether he has the character to be the team leader with Rimmer and the top ranked rider in OCM, Truman Vancil, riding 'for' him.
  
  One rider looking to break up the top 2 for the last two years is Nicodemus Balanchine (Gradient Levellers) who himself lies 3rd in the OCM rankings. Balanchine has had a fine season to date, most notably in Perm where he notched up his first major victory by taking the sprinter's Blue jersey. Balanchine lacks the hills that define Germany but, with a team
  totally behind him, it is quite conceivable that we will see an Armenian in Germany's Green.
  
  Another rider having a fine season is Patya Gordyeva (Yuri Super Team). The Russian completed a 'Viggo double' last week by picking up the Helsinki GP. The Finnish Classic added to his Essex Tour victory means he is another rider to pick up both a Classic and a Tour victory. Gordy is in fine form and is another rider who has a shot at Green.
  
  Any preview of Germany is generally fraught with danger as the Tour tends to find surprising winners. However, at least one of the names above will surely be in the news at the end of the week.