Written by the OCM season 16 awards committee
So the votes have been cast and counted, and its time for the results to be announced. Another thrilling and enthralling season with many highs and lows has flown by, and now it’s time for some of the greatest riders in OCM history to be rewarded.
Time for the first award and this category is the Best Hiller award, which will be presented by Team Zyte manager Nick Lissner, who we thank greatly for giving up time from his busy schedule to be with us tonight. The suspense in the room builds and great champion Truman Vancil can be seen readying himself to collect the award. The winner is ………. Salim Wajeeh (Equipe44). A cheer resounds around the room but a look of devastation descends onto the face of Truman Vancil. Asked how he feels about his success, Salim responds, “I’m speechless, it’s a great honor, thank you to everyone who voted for me”. Abraham Cojuango and Truman Vancil finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
So one down, many more to go and next we move onto the best sprinter’s award, the Fergal Lemire trophy, and Fergal is here to present the reward himself. And the winner is Jens Waesbergen, no surprises there then a truly deserving and fantastic winner. Conrado Fraga and Jan-Joost Dussel finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
This is quickly followed by the award for the Best Climber, presented by none other than the great Sterling Dorsher. “I’m delighted to be here tonight.” - Sterling tells his adoring fans, and starts informing the crowd about his memorable past. Finally it’s time to reveal the winner, and the winner is Migel Pinto, the Gradient Levellers star with two classics victories to his name last year. No final farewell award for the great Frank van Galen, who finished 2nd or Keegan Shiable. Nico Holt was the 3rd.
A short break is held and awards committee chairman Yuri is brought onto the stage and introduced to the fans. His hard work | | has not gone unnoticed and he’s presented a small gift as a token of gratitude from the OCM community presented by Sterling Dorsher again.
Before Sterling has chance to leave the stage, he is asked to present the award for the best cobbler, surely there’s only one winner. And yes, no surprises here the winner for the second consecutive year is Sieuwerd Schimmel. The singing of the classic Simply the Best, breaks out in one section of the audience, but Schimmel as modest as ever replies, “I’m delighted to receive this award, but there are many other great cobblers out there who were equally deserving of the accolade”. Oswald Vancleave was 2nd and Maas de Wolf 3rd.
Now it was time for the Best Time Trialist award and Noppes was the member who was going to give the prize. After such a great season the prize could go anywhere, but after a close fight Elton Lonergan won the award putting Gregory Levis in second place for the first time. Fenton Sommers become 3rd.
As the Best Tour Rider award was starting to be presented everyone seemed to agree that someone would receive the 2nd award of the night. But was it Salim Wajeeh or Elton Lonergan? Einar comes to the stage. Everyone is in silence. “I’m delighted to announce that the winner is…… Salim… Wajeeeeeeeeh!!!” Everyone applauded and Salim Wajeeh almost couldn’t believe it. Elton Lonergan came 2nd with the same amount of points from Toni Castulo. But as he received more 1st places he came 2nd and Toni 3rd.
It was time for Delion to go to the stage to present the Best Young Rider award. “The youngsters are the future.” – He said. “And the one with the better looking future is… Rytis Kondrotas!” He almost could go to the stage and receive the prize. His nerves could be felt a mile away. Tonio Castulo became 2nd (no prize again) and Frederik Ravn 3rd.
The Best Breakthrough Rider is also as important as the best young rider. “The
| | future is in your hands” – said Fujimoto Masaaki the famous rider from team Kremer when he was told to get on the stage. “The winner …. Is … me! No way, it's Migel Pinto! Come and get your 2nd award of the night!” Frederik Ravn 2nd Bjorn Rasmussen 3rd. Ravn was in the podium again.
Eli as the manager from the best team was presenting the next award. Best Rider Outside Top Division most known as BROTD. “And the winner who will get a BMW fresh new from my homeland is… Bjorn Rasmussen! Congratulations!” Roderick Soule and Abraham Cojuango were so furious to know they didn’t receive the prize. Cojuango was thinking what he needed to do to get the top spot. 2nd time in the podium is hard… or not.
It’s time for the biggest prize. The one everyone is expecting. And to present it we will have Yuri again on stage. “We hope you’re enjoying the awards tonight. Everything was made to please you guys! And now I ask the lights engineers to lower the lights. Give me some dramatic music. Ok… The winner is… Wait a second. Why do we need so much suspense? THE WINNER IS JENS WAESBERGEN! Come here and receive your prize!!!” After a great season Salim Wajeeh came 2nd and Sieuwerd Schimmel was 3rd.
Let’s go to the teams now. Best Breakthrough Team is presented by Washy. “And the winner is…”. “From a great land.”. “Shut up Yuri, I’m the one presenting it! The winner is Greenride!” Megaman was 2nd and Team Jayco 3rd. Congratulations everyone.
Last but not least is the Best Manager award. Noppes is going to give the prize. “My friends I hope you’ve enjoied the night, I would like to thank everyone starting with my mother…” “COME ON” “Ok the winner is… Eli from Equipo Easy On!!” The 2nd place was Hurps from Monkeys united and the 3rd was seraras from The Killers.
So the awards ceremony is over. See you next season!
The committee
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