Monte Rosa tour is where the climbers come out and play , yes this is the tour where it is uphill almost all the way to the finish. With only one sprinting stage on the final day the climbers dominate , because of fatigue setting into the sprinters , or just the general lack of sprinters , with teams opting to go full out on the offensive to dominate the gradient and drop the weaker contenders from the pack. This marvelous spectacle will be held for the 8th time in OCM’s coming of age season. This year’s tour will be an amazing spectacle with big teams like CCFC and The Doomsday Bunnies joining in the action.
  
   The teams presentation created some hype. Here is the need to knows about every team participating in Monte Rosa edition 8.
  
  
   Rooney 17
   Rooney 17 will be participating in Monte Rosa without Afanasy Tyannikov , this is their star tt specialist , but was left out of the line up for mysterious reasons , it is claimed that he might be sick but only the team will know why he was left out. They will however fight for glory with the young Mikhail Shuvalov. Will this rider prevail or will the few weak links in their line up spoil the party? All we know at this stage is that he will have to take major risks in the prologue if he is to contend for the first spot.
  
   The Doomsday Bunnies
   The Doomsday Bunnies will be coming to the tour with one thing in mind and that is to defend their title wich they gained with Andreas Mayer in the 7th edition. Miraculously the team will also be participating in the Volta at the same time... Damario Crusellas will be the captain for MRT , Afool believes that he is better suited for MRT and will therefore lead the team. This rider is definitely stronger than Andreas Mayer , but will he prevail or will we see the classic case of a rider who has already proved himself defy the plans and go for personal glory? Only time will tell , let’s just hope that the team will remain undevided.
  
  Lots o Huggin Bear
   Lots o Huggin Bear will be attending the race, the manager ichti said that the team would be stage hunting and would take it day by day. This team has no high expectations and realises Mohamed Nuri Mosbah’s short commings. Don’t expect a threat to the GC here , but you never know. Stranger things have happened.
  
   Los Sprinters Locos
   Los Sprinters Locos , this is really a surprise entry. The manager said: “I'm him just for the fun of a tour!” what ever that was supposed to mean. I enterpret it as throwing down the guantlet for Break aways and some strange tactics wich will definitely add some much needed flair to this otherwise slow paced race. You can look for the name of this team on every stage as a surprise result is very likely.
  
   Velo Kiwi
   This team from New Zealand claims that they are not here for overall glory, but rather to dominate one stage in particular. David claims that the team will raleigh around Tamati Lima on stage two (Bern - Lausanne) for a victory. Critics have said that Lima will not have an effect on the overall standings , but a major time gap on his specialist stage could render one or two favorites out of contention for the gc. Velo Kiwi only has one hope to achieve this and that is tactics , tactics and tactics...
  
   mirabelle
   Single stage glory or has someone misread the race profile? Fans and experts alike are flabbergasted that a team would enter a six man sprinting

team into a race in wich the captain will only have a chance to race on one occasion and that being the final stage. Will the riders even make it over the mountains, let’s hope that they manage to do so and provide us with at least one high speed stage finish, but don’t expect to see this team gunning for overall glory. In short this choice proves that this team has some chutzpah.
  
   Rigana
   Rigana will be contesting the race with Giovanni Vischkens . He can be a serious threat in the mountains and a favorite for a few top nine finishes throughout the tour , but will his reluctance to brave the high speed downhill pursuits be his Achilles Heel. He has suitable support and a great mentor in the form of the experienced Douglas Crawford. It is reported that Giovanni will be in tip top shape for this race. If he peaks he will upset some of the favorites.
  
   Noud89
   it appears that Noud 89 has entered Monte Rosa with the hopes of a placing in the gc for Xander Daniels. He has reasonable support and one team mate to guide him with experience. Noud decided to back his captains’ climbing ability and bolster confidence by claiming that his captain does not need to make time in the prologue and that everything will be done in the mountains. Will this move pay off , or will it backfire.
  
   Cremtec
   Evans , Evans gambit perhaps? Just like this familiar gambit Evans also sacrificed , he sacrificed his form to participate in Monte Rosa. He will be in good shape and is definitely a serious contender. If his gc hopes are crushed he still has the yc to aim for. He unfortunately only have three helpers in the mountains , but judging by their quality this might be enough , they’ll just have to make some allies in order to succeed. Evans’ assault on the title will be interesting and will come down to using opportunities as they present themselves.
  
   CCFC
   It’s all good , well for this tour anyways. Peter-Jan Van de Wal will be CCFC’s leader for Monte Rosa. It appears that he has all of the abilities required to prevail in the mountains and with impecable support he might just. According to Einar he might peak for the tour , but these rumours are yet to be confirmed.
   Peter-Jan Van de Wal is definetely a favorite to win. His odds is quite good in fact a risk averse person might just bet on him...
  
   Ron Cycling Team
   Will Ron have a case of one bad apple spoiling the pile , or will Fabian Sauer deliver the goods. Ron has decided that few support is needed if your supporting riders are good. Will these riders burn them selves out before they reach Geneve? We can expect a minor stage placing or two here , but nothing special , but lady luck might just prove me wrong.
  
  Zero Tolerance
   Zero Tolerance will be sending Burton Alexander. This rider has the ability , but lacks some support. He should however do quite well in the prologue , having possibly the highest TT skill of the race favorites. If he does well in the prologue , I guess he will be quite on the stages and try to consolidate his lead , but i suspect that a stage win or two might be at order.
  
   THE DUTCHIES
   Nicolaas Hauvers , very good climb , very good technique , what could possibly go wrong? The Dutchies chose this man as their captain. A good choice considering his pedigree. Will he be able to use his two mountain guides to his advantage , or will

he crash on a decent due to over confidence. This man will be interesting to watch , let’s just hope he doesn’t get cocky in the hairpins beyond the summits.
  
   Cider Riders
   Can we abandon after the prologue? This thought must’ve caught Cider’s mind. With two top class TT’ers entered into the event they should take the lead after stage one. However after day 2 , they might have to give it up already , these two riders barely have any support, can they find their climbing legs out in Switzerland? I doubt it , but they’
  
   Ponika
   The Croats are here , well bar one Dutchman. Ponika will be sending the Croation national champion to contend for the title , Viktor Bertovi? appears to be in form. He can upset a few of the heads of state , but lacking support he might find it tough up the climbs. Will he be able to hold his own in the high mountains or will the intimidating feeling of being “surrounded” make him crack under the pressure?
  
   SilenceLotteFan
   Will Teodor Bagger sprint up the climbs? Brecht says that they are just there for a stage win , well if you can sprint up a mountain you might make it. With Bagger having support in the form of lead outs his chances at the gc are slim , but if he can find himself with a team mate on a non summit finish he might take the stage. Weird plan this , but as I’ve already said , stranger things have happened.
  
   Team Albatros
   Team Albatros , will send Aaron Sanroma to Switzerland. Will the team focus on individual stage wins or will they contend for the gc? It is hard to say with such a versatile line up. I doubt the teams ability in the mountains with ample support, but they have a great downhiller , can he guide his captain down the mountains on wings or will the race favorites dissapear over the summits. It is hard to make a call with this strange line up.
  
   JV pro cycling
   Jv procycling has the mountain stages covered with their line up. They brought along an experienced rider in the form of Henning Kolstad , but all the experience in the wold can not make up for the team’s overall lack of TT ability. Will this short coming hamper the team’s ability or will they rise to the challenge in the mountains and make up valuable time with a stage result or two.
  
   Team Kernow
   Kernow has a formidable line up and will challenge for the Gc. With a rider like Luis Prangsgaard , you would see why I can shout this statement from the rooftops. Support is also aplenty, with the likes of Sterling Renwick as a partner in crime you would also back this team for a top 9 finish. The only question marks amongst this team is : Will the right tactics be chosen...
  
   Albatros
   Bring the massage chairs , grandpa has arrived. Albatros has entered a team of elderlies into Monte Rosa. Will experience be the trump card , or will the team struggle to get their riders fresh and rejuvinated for each stage. We will just have to wait and see.
  
   We hope that you all join us in Switzerland for this roller coaster tour. Some riders have been critisized , others have been praised , but in the end their legs must still do the talking. I expect an upset or two , especially in the gc. Just remember , if you can’t keep up , get off and walk...
  
  
  Written by freelancer aarin from
  nonnies to OCM Magazine