The start of the classical season always starts on Sicily in the city of Siracusa.
  In memory of Archimedes some of the best division five teams battle for the victory of the Siracuse in memory or the great battle against Rome.
  Will they also meet their destiny like Archimedes or will they avenge him and return a victor.
  As ancient victories are celebrated. These winning managers will get their own victory columns. And parade around the streets.
  People chanting their names and be for ever remembered. Let us meet the ones that start in Siracusa.
  
   PEKAC B
  Czech outfit with a full Czech team is working for their captain Max Blaha. A nice sprinter with some full support from his team.
  He had a result in Finland already. And he is hoping to continue his luck in this Italian race.
  
   KK Perutnina Ptuj
  
  A team known for his extraordinairy youth development method, is having an old rider as their captain.
  Is this a new ear for this team. Gustav Oswall is a very experienced rider. A great ace for a good result here.
  
   Grant Thornton
  
  Canadian team that is dedicated to the flat roads. They have two riders that can captain this team. We believe Pierre Demouge is the rider for manager Levi Armstrong.
  With good Russian support by Borislav Shaslov, who could also go for a result here.
  
   mapei bianchi
  
  An Italian team with much experience. They also have a Swedish captain. But Oskar Wahlkvist is a rider that has the future.
  Will he guide mapei bianchi to great heights or will he be bought away by a bully Topdivision team with to much money in his pocket.
  We hope he stays.
  
   Super Velo
  
  American team with an American captain. Will this captain America win this Italian classic? Elijah Barone knows what winning is.
  And we think he will do good if he is rested enough. A nice top nine result is a goal for this team.
  
   Carnap Kickers
  
  Bertil Rachlin is this teams undisputed captain. A great sprinter when the roads are hilly and the race is tough.
  But the roads around Siracusa

are not filled with hills. A top nine finish is what he can hope for. But a big result is to much asked by Mathiasen.
  
   Epolinaris
  
  Belgian team number one is hoping their Luxembourg veteran star can shine in this race. Irvin Fray, international for his country is a good sprinter.
  But does he have the power to follow the real sprinters?
  
   Fassa Mapei
  
  A team that again joins the higher regions in OCM. They rely on many veterans. Gert van Kelf is their main star. But he needs his teammates if he wants a good result here.
  And a lot of luck.
  
   Kingstowm
  
  Caribbean sound but Dutch stingy attitude. Timo Sanders is their captain. And they are aiming for a high result. Top three or a win.
  This rider could be able to bring the flowers home.
  
   Sons of the Desert
  
  A Danish golddigger in Belgian service. Kim Madsen is a good rider that knows his flat roads.
  But maybe the competition is to hard in this race for team manager wava to get another win.
  
   azeitonense
  
  Veteran team azeitonense have another star. This time GaryTurner found a sprinter in Belarus. Spiridon Dultsev should be able to win here.
  A great team and a nice captain. These ingredients should be enough to get a result at least.
  
   Britcycles
  
  A Scot in English service. Weird, but at Britcycles this combination works. Leon Morison already left his mark in last seasons Fast on Wheels race.
  And he is wanting another win in Italy. They aim for a win in Siracusa. It might work.
  
   Eriknogwat
  
  Superstar Dirk Horring is in this team for one thing. Winning races. And team manager Erik is happy with him. Again in Italy, Dirk is the captain. He has some nice leadouts.
  Could this be a contender for the victory. He should at least be noticed now by the National Teammanager.
  
   Holwerda

Cycling
  
  From the north of the Netherlands we greet Holwerda Cycling. A complete Dutch squad with Rick Knol as their captain.
  They walk around with their camera's around their neck and their autograph books asking autographs from the other riders. They are just happy to be here and see it all.
  
   Daioni
  
  The single Portuguese team is here with only one assignment. Ride in front and show our bright white sponsorless shirt. We need every exposure we can get.
  And a win is not one of them.
  
   Team Culkasi
  
  Culkasi, the manager of Team Culkasi, relies on their French young sprinter Gary Gillet. Is this rider still improving. He is young, he might can get far.
  This is his first taste of a real race with real competition. Let us hope this rider will be a great one for the future.
  
   Begamayo CC
  
  Belgium team number four. And this full Belgium squad relies on, how ironic, on Hollanders. Jason Hollanders to be precise.
  Will this Belgium sprinter thank his good supportteam with a nice win in Italy? Everything is possible.
  
   Bilal
  
  Romanian, former, powerhouse Bilal is now racing in division five. And is that a bad thing you ask. Well I bet there a lot of teams that love to see Smirnov leave from their division.
  Smirnov could so easily win this race. He is the hot favourite. Experienced and fully supported. This is a safe bet for the gamblers among us.
  
   Team of Europe
  
  Team of Europe from Poland is here with a mixture of riders. Maciej Owczarek is their captain. And manager dudek wants a win.
  We hope they can deliver that. Because a win is a bit to much asked if you ask us.
  
   Trabzonspor
  
  Turkish Trabzonspor, from Trabzon, is our last team. They have a decent team that works for their captain Eren Turgut.
  A nice allround sprinter. But a bit to allround for this race. This rider might do good in different races. And maybe when he has a good day gets a top nine result.
  
  
  Written by pundit Finz from
  NightmareChaos to OCM Magazine