Netherlands on top of the World
  
  With their recent win in the Clash of Nations, Netherlands are currently enjoying the limelight. Having been one of the stronger nations in OCM in the past, success in the CoN has finally confirmed their World status.
  
   CoN review – Spain so close
  
  Defending champions, England, had the worst possible start in Delhi as Sterling Dorsher (FFL) once again froze under the big race pressure and failed to even finish in the top 9 – having won this race last year. It was Erskine Pettis (trackstah07) who took the race in what was to prove a stunning CoN event for the Canadian. In 2nd was the little known but absurdly talented Spaniard Migel Pinto (Presure), who finally announced himself on the World Stage.
  
  Ramone Tuero (Telek@m) took the CoN’s second race, a flat sprint around Beijing, and then a 4th place in the Washington TT from Prospero Quino Mardomingo (Legia) opened up a sizeable lead in the points for Spain, a lead they would carry for almost all of the competition.
  
  After a second place in the CoN’s fifth race, a cobblestone route around Paris, Spain’s lead over the Netherlands was 200, which seemed insurmountable with only two races left. However, the climbs around Rio turned the standings on their head as Theodoor van Someren (Amersfoort) and Frank van Galen (Il Grillo) took a 1-2 for the Netherlands. Spain’s 8th place with Inocente Castaneda (Cuevas Team) was not enough to stop the Dutch team taking first spot.
  
  Spain’s failure in the last CoN race in Cape Town confirmed the win for the Netherlands and manager Harwin Mulder. It is a just and overdue reward for OCM’s biggest and strongest nation and they will certainly start as favourites for next year’s comepetition.

The same cannot be said for England, who suffered a nightmare CoN competition, eventually finishing 9th. With Sterling Dorsher and Miles Finnerty retiring at some point soon, things do not look rosy for England.
  
  Pettis on top for Canada
  
  Pettis’ 4th place in Rio was enough to secure him the number 1 spot in the OCM International rankings, ahead of Sweden’s Kurt Sundström and Lance Le Noir of France. Pettis has come a long way in the past season and has become a rider to be feared on the slopes, both up and down. It is rumoured that he will be attending timetrial training in preparation for next season’s Volta. Who would bet against him?
  
  The future is Spanish?
  
  Despite being overtaken right on the finishing line, Spain’s successful campaign will be encouraging for all those involved. Indeed, within the Spanish ranks there seem to be a number of young jewels that could soon be sparkling. Migel Pinto enjoyed some success this year and will surely be a force in OCM for seasons to come. Inocente Castaneda and Abraham Cojuango (tundra) are both young riders who have impressed over the last season and both now stand in the top 30 of the OCM rankings.
  
  However, it is in the timetrials where Spain appear to have the brightest future, though this may take a bit of time to pan out. At 25, youngster Valentin Figueira (sprint4live) is already among OCM’s timetrialling elite. Rumours are out that he will sent to a specialist timetrial centre to work even more on his skills. Another talented youngster, currently being auctioned, is Tito Bueno and it looks like he is off to the perfect club, Matrix Team, who have specialized in time trial training since their inception. Rumours of another Spaniard, who is possibly the most talented timetrialler

OCM has ever seen, appear true though it seems things are being kept under wraps for the time being.
  
  However, other nations are also showing encouraging signs of progress. Sweden’s 5th place in the competition was a welcome return to form, and their future will seemingly be led by yet another ‘new Ame’, Aron Zetterström (Bajen Belfast), though this time the the title seems well-justified. Or will Denmark, who chose not to compete this year, take over? With Drejbo and Mollerup, two of OCM’s most feared, it’s certainly possible but a lack of a top notch climber is likely to hold them back.
  
  It will certainly be interesting to watch.
  
  Clash of Nations - Final Standings
  
  1. Netherlands 960
  2. Spain 800
  3. Portugal 700
  4. Belgium 640
  5. Sweden 590
  6. Canada 520
  7. Poland 510
  8. Australia 460
  9. England 380