Division 1, Top division. The Official Cycling Magazine takes a look at the first part of the season. Your reporter had it all figured out, facts checked, pencils sharpened, spell check on. And then there was that thing, that bombshell.
  
  All thing started out “normal”, Anghel Ghidercea (WV De Dommel) returned after a long rest period and dominated the first hilly races of the season, three wins for the Romanian star.
  
  Meanwhile the cobble season started. Of course Mr Cobble himself, Sieuwerd Schimmel (Team RI) showed his face, winning pre Roubaix. He couldn't sustain his good form for Roubaix Classic, rising star Julian Pope (Team revolutie) took the victory. He was now hot favourite to win the cobble tour, the tour for riders with no fillings left in their molars: Tweedaagse van Antwerpen. The American was in great shape, but could not prevent that Mauricio Viola (Glamourade)
  was the best after 4 stages.
  
  After

switching from Bywater CT to NECFTW, Zack Davie was determined to show his abilities. With 2 climbing classics in the first part of the season, there was no better time to prove his point. Not many people would have put money on him to win both, not even his own manager. We are waiting in anticipation for the last climb classic of the season. Can he make the hatrick?
  
  A well known face comes knocking at Top division. All new and revised team skils, former world number 1, rejoins top division.
  
  The fast men of the peleton competed in the oldest race on the OCM circuit, Vejle-København. English giant Avery Nijholt (Greenride) was the fastest in this sprinters ball. Jens Waesbergen did what he always does, win a race, his unprecedented 90th(!) result! The English classic Norwich-London was pf course decided by a sprint, Pascal Juszczak (Legia) was the fastest man on this day.
  
  Slow start. The begin of the season is always slow for

the man who battle alone against the elements. We expect fire in the rest of the season, with many riders who seem to be ready for top form. Anything noticeable? I would say: Yes. Time Trialist of the year winner Rogerio Aleixo was fired by Team Revolutie, rumour has it the Portuguese pushed his luck in contract negotiations.
  
  And then came that day. A day which will be remembered for ever by OCM enthusiasts. Day 28, season 18. The day started with a full blown, division wide strike. It was short and the reason for this strike were unknown to many. Division 1 race Nairobi – Mount Kenia started and 5 brave man left the peleton. Nothing to get your knickers in to a twister, the power of the captains would prevail, as ever. But how wrong were we all! These 5 brave man were gone, only to be seen again after the finish line!
  
  A new era has started.
  
  Written by Noppes from NECFTW, division 1 updater to OCM Magazine