Having won last seasons ROTM, I have been given the honour of previewing ROTM #7, here is my lowdown on all the teams and some of the stars, competing in this seasons edition.
   I hope you enjoy it and wish you all goodluck,
  
   Seeds2
   Risen from the ashes of seeds, seeds2 are banking on experience with the average age of the squad 30, the oldest entered here. Having recently secured the services of former desprau noir sprinter Arne De Brouwer, not to be undetestimated this former Belgium national rider has just picked up his first proffesional win italys, nardo nardo. A good SC bet.
  
  
   EricV
   Young Gun Cody Bright doesn't just doesn't have mere legs, this guys got wings, watch him fly up the mountains. Their might be some people saying hang on who is this guy?, best result 15th?, but believe me you will get to know him over the next week. An almost certain YC winner and a future tour winner, if he doesn't win ROTM this season. Its just a shame EricV's scouts got to him before mine.
  
   Lucky Omen? :- Durwin Gash was a Team Mate, for last seasons winner, of the ROTM.
  
   squadra sora
   One of teams hoping to secure the green sprinters jersey is squadra sora, favouring the hills, Lexington - Laconia, looks set to be Dominik Van Hecke's stage , whether he can perform well on it, is the question, my gut tells me he will, whether he will finish with that SC win, sorry my gut tells me no.
  
   One cap wonder :- Dominik Van Hecke's only international race for Belgium was in this seasons CON Sydney, he finished 79th and was dropped.
  
  
   Ferencvárosi TC
   A first tour for this Hungarian based team, look out for Sákovics István, a good sprinter, who is more comfortable with a few inclines, instead of the pure flat stage races With a few climbs on stage 2, before the sprint, maybe just maybe.
  
   Did you Know? :- Ferencvárosi TC's, only foreign team mate here, the Swede Nils-Erik Håkonsson, has only ever finished in the top 20 three times, all in Denmark.
  
  
   Sons of the Desert
   I have to say, I'm a little dis-appointed not to see Abraão Onofre as team leader, a quality climber with a wealth of experience, with over 50 races at the very highest level, I can only presume that Wouter Jochemsen has been showing better form.
   Former Ultrajectum rider, Finn Owen has been included for the sprints, but with the team split in support of both Jochemsen and Owen, I doubt either will make much of a impact.
  
   Bad Fortune :- SOTD's star rider Gust Ramlot is out injured.
  
  
   BCTeam
   Last season was one of the most successful for Gianluigi Miglierina's men, however this season has proved much tougher, with just the one results.
   Tour Rider Theodoor Langenbach is the top man here, he is good but not spectacular and weak support will extinguish any chances he has to make top 10 overall.
   A better chance might be for the Spanish duo of Salvadore Tello & Elia Vallejo in the TT's but the competition here is tough.
  
   Did you know? :- BCTeam are the oldest team signed up to the ROTM this season, Registered:5/2 - 2010
  
   Faustus
   Finlands premier team. Norbert Verbraecken, is fresh back from his Critérium la Grasse victory but he may have to play a supporting role to veteran sprinter /TT,er, Jaakko Virén
   who isn't in bad form himself, Viren saves his best for tours, with an impressive record, a former Perm winner, Volta youth winner also with stage wins in the monte rosa and a 1st stage win here before, he is a good bet to repeat that feat again.
  
   KAS KASKOL
  

Not content with victory in the "Billion Dollar Race", Oliverio Soler is back here 40 days later looking to build on his "American dream win". Former KK captain Adrián Zavarjelos, will be missed but a very handy bunch of team mates that are prepared to ride themselves into the ground, for the cause should soften that blow, as will Erasmo Vélez, who is my dark horse for the 8k of Mt. Washington ITT. Top 9 for Soler.
  
   Staying State side :- ROTM isn't the only race KAS KASKOL has entered during their stay across the atlantic, you can catch others members of the squad, including Zavarjelos at The Wild Side Race, next Wednesday.
  
   Rabo utrecht CT
   Heiko de Wortelaers is back after 5 seasons ago winning the YC. He is now aiming for a podium place in the GC. Heiko is in top form and will be seen as a major contender, The team will also be supporting Erik De Kelper, to do some nice sprinting performances. Despite the team being split with 4 climbers and 2 sprinters, the quality of this team, may just be enough to fufil their lofty expectatitions of winning on all fronts.
  
   Oh Brother :- Erik De Kelper's younger brother Gerrit also rides for Rabo utrecht CT.
  
  
   PEKAC B
   I managed to catch up with honzas, the team manager of PEKAC B, yesterday, and he was more than happy to tell that Christian Kafka will be "captain on flat stages, tourist on the others", and most of his purely Czech team, when not leading out Kafka, will be looking to breakaway. An outside chance on the flat.
  
   And another thing :- For this seasons ROTM PEKAC B have returned back to their original logo and jerseys' colors.
  
   JV pro cycling
   Last season Westby got injured in a training session just before the ROTM began, he is selected this time as captain, and I have been reliably informed that all his team will ride to support him, in his attempt for a podium in all the climbing stages and a top 10 in GC.
   Westby is one of three former youth winners racing here, having won it back in season 18, the first of three times, this team has entered here.
   22 year old Sylvan Vangale, would also normally be in contention in this seasons YC, if it wasn't for such stiff competition.
  
   Transfer Gossip :- Team manager Jack Van Heeren , has been enquirying for a return of his former rider Brian Khol, I politely declined.
  
  
  
  
   Treaty City CC
   I heard B O Connell , on American radio this morning telling the world " im in with one of the weakest teams in the peleton", it made me laugh, because I bet he is at base camp, right this moment, telling his boys, not to beleive a word of what he said earlier, I know there is nothing wrong with playing down your own chances, but I have to say most pro's will see right through it. When it comes to the green jersey, Horace Zeiser is a contender, who finished 3rd in last seasons, fast on wheels
  
   Breakaway Success? :- watch out for Sherard Kalbach, he could provide a breakaway win.
  
   sivac
   Evaristo Gusmão, last seasons runner up, is once again team leader for the Serbs of sivac, desipte finishing every stage inside the top 12, Mt. Jefferson provided Gusmão downfall, losing over a minute there, last time round.
   Support is much the same as before with exception of Heribert Haberzettl, in replacing the American Herman Claxton, both are very simular, so no advantage in that, however young Kevin Steels, looks a much better rider than I can remember him being, and maybe the only competition to Cody Bright in the YC.
   As for Evaristo Gusmão, it all depends on his performance up Mt. Jefferson, he has the ability, but does he have the fight and belief? .......
  
   ekaitz team

   American Isaac Green, will be leading this Spainish outfit, he will be joined by fellow time trialist Kimball Testaferrata Olivier, amongst the weakist teams in the tour having left 2 of there best riders at home, it looks like its a win at Revere’s Midnight Ride or nothing.
   Saying that Olivier, is the most naturally talented TT'er in the tour!
  
   Malta's Number 1 :-Kimball Testaferrata Olivier has won 5 races this season, in 5 different divisions.
  
  
   English Sprinting Team
   Without a doubt the best sprinter in this years tour is Carroll Mullan, and I'm not just saying that because he rooms with Farley Redman whilst on NT duty, take my word for it, he is!.
   A 2nd in last season fast on wheels, has been followed by success at the Classico di Siracusa and a Would Tour victory in Denmark.
   Unfortunatly, a lack of lead out support and adqeuate protection, may cost him his green jersey ambitions, however if he finds the right wheel to follow, he should easly attain the modest goals of a couple of top 9's by the teams sponsers.
  
   Lone Star:- EST has won 7 races so far, 6 of which were won by Mullan.
  
   PAN
   Borislav Blatov finished a very crediable 8th place overal last season, this time round he will be team mate to Zakhar Nardin. In my opinon, Nardin will find it hard to repeat or better that feat desipite being a better rider. On a more positive note Marat Yermolayev, has form here, a former 3rd place last time round, in the Mt. Washington ITT and with sprinters in the squad too, a real mix of a team expect mixed results.
  
   Team Katona
   The second Hungarian team entered here also has a Hungarian sprinter as team captain.
   I actually prefer little Lipták as a sprinter but a very average lead out train may limit his chances, again a couple of TT'ers in the squad for good measure, Sabino Robano being the pick of the rest of the team.
  
   Rumour has it that team manager Edu has a war chest of almost 100k to spend, after this tour, just a pity for Lipták Aurél, that this investment has come too late.
  
   Beardy Bikers
   Peddling into the ROTM, under the radar is Christophe Emslet climbers, the Beardy Bikers or is it Le Beardy Bikers, yes, not the very strongest captain, but I get a sense of real team spirit and depth in support. Solid captain, solid squad, will do better than most expect.
  
   And another thing :- At 21, Izak Voet, isn't only the youngest in the race, the young man is fearless on the descent, one for the future.
  
  
   Supernutz
   What would the ROTM be without Wesley Meadows, 3rd last season, a youth winner in the past and a true home favourate, however despite the undenialabilty of Wesleys quality, and despite the twin efforts of excellent domestiques, Clifford Colombo and Perry Farmer, I have to say he lacks just another couple of team mates of climbing quality, to move up to the top of the podium.
  
   Joss
   You have to admire a team managers who risks their selection here, because it was vital for their preparation. This is what Jo SoebstadS did, holding back Dirceu Scahisi, so he could complete important sessions at the Zyte TT centre to improve his Aerodynamics.
   In doing so Scahisi, now looks the complete Tour rider and a geniune challenger for the GC.
   The current Fow winner, Haney, will aim for the time trials, again another rider who is ideal for Mt. Washington ITT .
  
   Inspirational :- Dirceu Scahisi was inspired to go into cycling by former Germany Tour winner, Amadeu Brasil.
  
  
  
  Written by freelancer Elliotone from Team Kernow to OCM Magazine