Written by Dave Washington from Team Washo
  
  As the years have passed by in OCM, the lower divisions have gradually become more and more competitive. Even in divisions 7 and 8, 50+ average riders are competing. Yet here we shall focus on the recent on goings in Divisions 2 and 3, in preparation for the eagerly anticipated Volta.
  
  Throughout the first twenty days of this exciting 16th season, there have already been twenty thrilling races in divisions 2 + 3, throwing up some surprise results, whilst in others, the usual customers have rose to prominence.
  
  Vincent Ploeger (Minions of Static), retained his trophy for the division 2 climbing classic Ainet-Bruggen, his second result of the season, and his manager commented “As a team we are really happy to see Vincent Ploeger win for a successive time, it is a confirmation of his shape and hopefully a start of a great season.”
  When asked his thoughts about Ainet-Bruggen Vincent replied: “Winning the Ainet-Bruggen for a second time in a row is a great achievement. I was feeling great and had a great team to support me. It's nice to be in such shape this time of the season and I am looking forward for the Volta ao Porto next week to see if I can get my first win in a big tour.”
  
  Meanwhile 32 yr old Dino Halil (Siporex), has been another climber in form, winning the Saltlake City GP, whilst finishing a commendable 4th at Ainet-Bruggen. In addition to

this Sinuske climber Gerrie Boerema has enjoyed a successful week, surprisingly recording his second career victory and surely his most memorable at Uphill Firenze, followed by a second place in the Porto GP. Tito Vera, Jacques Haff and Lucio Semedo also all deserve credit for recording victories in the mountains.
  
  In the sprints the irrepressible Lean-Ahnfeldt Mollerup has been back to his best, following victory at the end of season 15, the ABK star recorded victory at Leon-Leon, and followed this with second in Malmo-Skaane. When asked about the aims for Mollerup ABK manager Andreas Brasen asserted, “The first goal for Mollerup will be the Monte Rosa tour where the goal will be to win the prologue and the final stage. Hopefully the team will be promoted to division 2 after that and the last goal of the season will be to participate in the Nederlandse Tour.”
  
  Meanwhile in division 2, Peddelen’s Jan-Joost Dusssel has been in fantastic form winning both the Nuenen GP and in Spain at Granada-Gaudix, whilst Gilles de Grantrue (Scruf), rode excellently to record three results already this year.
  
  The sole hill dominated race, Hugel Fahrt, was won by Elias Holmstrom (Negua Cycling Team), the 23rd victory of a highly successful career for the 33yr old.
  
  Max Roogaars (WV De Dommel) tasted victory at the Helsinki Streets TT in division 2, whilst the 3rd Division TT race at San Cipirello was won by Canutes’ Sigurleifur Lutersson,

number 1 in the Icelandic rankings. The 24yr old is an exciting prospect, and a young man with evident talent.
  
  Perhaps the biggest surprise of the week was victory for talented Japanese cobbler Kamo Takuma (Team GER), at the Roubaix Classic G2, where against the odds he overcame a strong field, winning ahead of Oswald Vancleave and Gabriel Hammar. This was a maiden victory for the 26yr old, and after his success manager Matt told us “It was a great success of Kamo Takuma in such a tough race and I am very proud of him. He developed to one of the best cobblers over the past years. I am very happy to be able to celebrate his first victory with him because he will leave Team GER. He told me before the race that he was looking for a new challenge and of course I accept his decision. I guess he wanted to make me a little good bye present which shows his true character of a great winner. Thanks for the good time and I wish him all the best!”
  
  Both Titus Stauffer (YCO) and Rodrigo Pimentel (Salgueiros) tasted victories in the cobbles in division 3, and all in all the racing has been frantic, thrilling and exciting to follow.
  
  Many of the names mentioned here might be unknown to readers, but this is all about generating publicity for these hard working, successful teams who possess some highly talented riders. The competition in these divisions is great and the standard tremendous, a highly exciting Volta looms ahead of us where undoubtedly more names will come to the fore.