Accusations of dutchiness and corruption are the mist that embraces the awards. This has been a constant on the last few editions, and even if the Committee tried to unify criteria and change a bit the way of working this time, the haters’ are still hatin’. Presided by peddelen (the chairman), they tried their best, worked on this for hours, first individually nominating riders for each category, then checking each other’s categories suggesting some other riders, then proceeding to vote, then undoing the ties until there were five nominees per category.
This being said, let’s start with what’s the proper awards gala. All in all, I’m sure that, whatever mist we have around the awards, the award itself is still something the owner feels proud of getting (or the haters’ would love getting). Gathering this time in Bergen, Norway, the crème de la crème of the cycling world, old glories, current ‘spot-holders’ and most renowned managers are ready to celebrate this annual meeting where, luckily for some, no wheels have to roll. Some climbers as Anderberg or Dorsher are maintaining the form, but you should see Fergal Lemire, he weights over 200lb!
First award, as it is traditional, goes to the best hiller of the season. And it was… Thodoros Drimalas (Kremer)! The Greek rider completed a fantastic season, and is a clear winner over Utbah (Glamourade) and Tomkins (Gradient Levellers).
Next one is the best sprinter award. I think that Ahnfeldt-Mollerup (ABK) and Dussel (peddelen) might have been looking to each other too much, because the winner is Cadman Kantor (thedutchies)! The English rider had no match this season when it came to bunch finishes.
The Sterling Dorsher Trophy for best climber | | awards the top rider in the mountains as you may know, and you voted it was… Fido Fernandez (adamo1999)! Despite racing in Zyte Division, the Spaniard was voted as a clear winner, with Bauwens (Team Crazy Downhillers) and Stubbe (WV De Dommel) far behind.
The battle in the cobbles was not very interesting, if you ask me. The best cobbler award goes, obviously, to Bartoli Rivera (omega pharma lotto)! Persoens (radu) comes in second place, and third place is taken by Viola (Glamourade).
And, on the solo efforts, the award goes to… Sandro Montelbano (Matrix team)! He’s been voted as the best time trialist of season 21, with a slim margin over Tingmann (Nairobi City Cycling Club) and, a bit further, Dadakos (mortenryt).
The Elias Marquez Trophy for best tour rider, now entering the non-skill related awards, goes to… Jan-Joost Dussel (peddelen)! There’s no way we can let you go without an award per season at the very least, right Jan-Joost? Crusellas (The Doomsday Bunnies) almost made it, while Drimalas (Kremer) got third.
Best young rider award, for that cyclist 25 years old or younger, goes to… Cadman Kantor (thedutchies)! With a wider margin than in his first award, the new OCM star collects a second recognition. Montelbano (Matrix team) was no threat for him, neither it was Peter-Jan Van de Wal (CCFC).
The best breakthrough award, given to the rider who improved the most, goes to… Ewould Haegg (Shinboners)! Three victories in Top Division certainly deserve it. Hadfield (1 2 Cycle) and Lassen (Hard Gaat Ie) complete this tight category podium.
Coming next, the award to the best rider outside top division goes
| | to… Pascal Pârcalab (Kaizzee)! Watch out this amazing climber. Hadfield (1 2 Cycle) bites the dust once again in a contended category, and Yocemento (nonnies) gets third.
Finally, the last award for riders and most prestigious one: The Ame Anderberg Trophy for best rider of the season. And it goes to… Cadman Kantor from thedutchies!!! Third award, and he gets the important one. This night certainly has a name! Props to both rider and manager for this fantastic season. Jan-Joost Dussel (peddelen) is a proud, yet distant, second finisher. Fido Fernandez (adamo1999) gets third place.
And now heading to the pair of awards for teams. Last season we hadn’t had an award for best breakthrough team (the Committee decided not to award anyone), but this time around things have changed for good. And the winner is… California Mist! Knotts, manager of this North-American team, climbed up to third division building up a great team, and he deserves our credit. Bergsteiger and Opium Fueled got second and third, but even if you add both team’s points you cannot reach what California Mist got! Didn’t I tell you that there was some Mist around the awards?
Finally, the trophy for best manager of the season goes to… pete from peddelen!!! The results will give you the best idea of how close this was. Let me tell you: pete (peddelen) 70 points, A Fool (The Doomsday Bunnies) 66 points, Noppes (NECFTW) 61 points, Wojciu (Kremer) 53 points, slico (sprint4live) 50 points. It was close, but photo-finish never lies!
Congratulations to all the winners!
Written by Holger Czukay from Asymm Project, member of Awards Committee of Season 21, to OCM Magazine
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