One of the editions with the biggest time gap between 1st and 2nd wasn’t as easy and clear as it might seem at the beginning. Firmino Botelho (Team Tirilla) won the 8th edition from the Tweedaagse van Antwerpen, the favorite Tour from the Belgian. Talking about the Belgian, there were some that were expected to be at the Top at the end of the Tour. Fred Dobbelaere (Hommerts Cycling Team) and Sebastien Persoens (radu) were the Top favorites from the Home fans as they were “playing at home”. Well the cobbles are cobbles and as always you can’t expect anything from these races. Punchers, falls, anything can happen at any time and we needed to wait for the last stage, the last meter, to know who was going to win.
  
  
  Day 1 – The Legend is back?!
  
  There are guys in OCM World that get know by their personal live, AV or even potential. And there are others that become real legends for their results. “Solo man” Henschel (Team Whalers) is known by all of this. One of the biggest TTers ever has found his way back to wins right on the first stage of the Tour. But guess who finished 2nd? Yes, the biggest threat for all cobblers. Nicodemus Balanchine (Gradient Levellers) needs no presentation. What he already rchieved speakes for himself. And with his form cobblers beware! Finishing last in the podium was another big Guy, Gregory Levis (Equipo Easy On). What on earth are these guys doing here? Do they know what is coming up? By the way EEO also finished with a 4th place congratz!
  
  
  Day 2 – Let’s get it started ok?
  
  Day 1 in the cobbles and remember this podium Firmino Botelho (Team Tirilla), Merlin Limes (Drapeau Noir) and Julian Pope (Team Revolutie). No space for mistakes as everyone is still fresh. Big fight for the win by every favorite but the first Belgian only comes at 7th place. “Hurry up Dobbelaere!” What happened?... “He can breathe give him space…” Well no chance not even for the the Argentinian superstar Jeraldo Piedrahita (JJL24SS) well guys

who knows… Better luck next time.
  
  
  Day 3 – The Revenge
  
  After the biggest stage and considered as the King stage the one with better legs would for sure win this 3rd stage. That’s why we see Nicodemus Balanchine is going to win… But wait, Merlin “Magic” Limes (Drapeau Noir) took the stage right on the line! What a result and this is the best way possible to answer Botelho (came 3rd) with his win yesterday! Everything is open between these 3 stars. Will the sprinter get it? Will the old Merlin get it? Or will it be the Portuguese? Right now the last one is in the lead but with just seconds between him and the other 2. And the rest? Well finally we hear something about Sieuwerd Schimmel (Team RI) he came 4th. Where on earth were you? Again we have the Belgians disappointing having the 1st arrived just in 7th place. Also the favorite Pope only came 10th. Not this season Pope. Not like this…
  
  
  Day 4 – Is it over?
  
  What a stage. An early attack gave Fred Dobbelaere (Hommerts Cycling Team) and the Belgians the first win! Epic stage for him, but he was already out of the competition. Schimmel woke up to late for the Tour because he got a 2nd place today and a 4th yesterday. Who knows where he could finish if he started racing as he normally does at the beginning of the Tour. The question is “Who finished 3rd?” Well probably the one who wanted the most! Firmino Botelho (Team Tirilla) finished 3rd and secured the win of the Tweedaagse van Antwerpen edition 8! No one could stop him to celebrate and he deserves that! Merlin Limes (Drapeau Noir) finished only 7th but it was enough to get the 2nd place. But where is Nicodemus Balanchine? Only 22th? What happened? He crashed almost in the end of the stage… This ruined his chances for a Top 3. Poor boy.
  
  Well the Tour is over. But we see you next Season!
  
  Written by pundit Yuri from Yuri SuperTeam to OCM Magazine