With Christmas still on people’s minds (and belly’s), the Royal Palace in Zamunda held the first ever OCM Fashion Gala.
  With the introduction of the new regulation jersey designs by OCM officials, it was only fit to celebrate the new features available to teams.
  
  A lot of hype arose around the new designs, tailors and seamstresses have been working hard putting the designs together. Some may have an easier job, others need some battling with the fabrics to come up with the results for the ideas of team bosses.
  
  His Royal Highness King Jaffe Joffer, a long time fan of cycling and also fashion, stepped up to organize this prestigious gala.
  
  Among the many fans, riders and bosses, one can’t help to notice former Champion and OCM Ambassador Äme Anderberg, along side his former team mate Philbert Heffron. Also many great riders like 3 time Germany winner Elias Márquez, Gerasim Oleshuk who is still looking for a new team, former Volta ao Porto winner Yasir Sahir, Syrian powerhouse Salim Wajeeh, and many more, although others are missing because they are preparing for the world championships and day to day racing.
  
  Chosen to host this very first gala, he is one of the most promising young men from the African continent, Swaziland born Alfonso Maboke, who rides for team Los Estados Unicos.
  
  Finally, and just before we get to presenting the awards, we have to introduce our judges.
  They are ichti from Team iPower, Zee from Dodge, Tim Johnson from Gradient Levellers and itisix from Torreira. They are the sole responsibles for every bit of bad taste in this competition (just kidding...).
  
  Now we give the word to Alfonso Maboke, who I’ve seen more at ease on his bike.
  
  Alfonso: Good evening. It’s an honour to be here in Zamunda, part of my home continent Africa, presenting this very first gala for design and fashion among OCM.
  
  We will start by announcing the winner for “The one that can't be left out” award.
  This was quite an award, as judges didn’t really know what to make of it, so it was fun to see the short lists for the final decision. In the end, some sort of taste prevailed.
  
  Alfonso: And the winner is Quick step minded. In the words of the team Manager “Cycling should be fun, and give joy to people. That's why I've chosen 'joyful' colours”.
  
  And they don’t come much joyful than that.
  Please give a round of applause for Quick step minded.
  
  Now we go on to present the award for Best artistic flair. This one also got the managers thinking more than they are used to. Many different opinions and jerseys, but we did get a decision:
  
  Alfonso:

The winner for best artistic flair is ABK. As told to us by Manager Andreas Brasen, “The jersey is designed to intimidate our enemies. The black and red riders will be a terrifying sight at the front of the peloton and in the sprint. This will give my riders the advantage they need to succeed.”
  
  I don’t care about the shirt, I would be scared of Lean Ahnfeldt-Mollerup even if he was racing buck naked.
  Please give it up for Andreas Brasen and ABK.
  
  Now we go on for a category that raised much interest. Most nationalistic or regional Jersey.
  Many teams seem to take a patriotic view of the sport and race with country colours, but who would take it away.
  
  Alfonso: This was unanimous. The winner for Most nationalistic or regional Jersey is redop. According to Manager elleniko, “Colour scheme is the same as the national flag, because redop is a team that invests strongly in the development of cycling in Portugal and in the development of national riders. Also it suits our logo, where a cycling wheel replaces the original armillary sphere in the Portuguese coat of arms”.
  
  Indeed, a very nationalistic team with SARS Vasco Assis at the tip of the spear. This young team is currently sitting in division 1 and doesn’t look like leaving soon.
  Please clap your hands for redop.
  
  Now we go on to the grand prize, best OCM jersey. We’ll be going from bottom to top.
  
  Alfonso: Third place in the best jersey competition is ... redop. Second prize of the night for this young team.
  
  Wow, now that is 2 prizes already. Manager elleniko must be over the moon with this gala. His trip to Zamunda wasn’t a waste at all.
  Please give redop a second round of applause.
  
  Alfonso: Now, second place in the competition for best jersey is … Team Thüringer Energie, with a stunning display of symmetry.
  
  Team Thüringer Energie Manager Retho was unable to be here tonight, but the prize will surely be shipped to Germany in an air bubble box.
  Please give us an applause for Team Thüringer Energie.
  
  And now, the moment we have been waiting for.
  
  Alfonso: The winner of the best jersey award is … drum roll please … alberta 1, with a jersey designed “around the hunter Orange SNAOTR colours”. Please give a big applause for manager Sean.
  
  Alfonso: This has been a great honour, see you all next year.
  
  And this concludes our first ever jersey competition. From us at OCM TV central, good night, and good luck.