The most polemical Tour in OCM is ready to start, since the 20 participating teams already signed up. Big names are in to show off in German Soil!
  
  Adam Hyder (Drapeau Noir) is in again to defend his title, but this time with a much better team and no other captain inside the team to work for. He will battle with Sebastião Moura (Greenride) who is one of the favorites and don't forget Kremer who will bring an enormous Jakob Rachlin to extend Kremer's Tour season. The English double Oswald Hudler (Gradient Levellers) and Evan Tomkins (Gradient Levellers) will try to work together to give the English squad the first GC victory since Vitaly Bayer 6 seasons ago. Chris Bauwens (Team Crazy Downhillers) doesn't need any presentation before the Tour since he's a Tour eater? Will GT come to his menu? Samy Jourdan (Il Grillo) will have a hard time between the younger riders but even so... Nicholas Ryle (Matrix team) will lead the "new" climbing team from France. Maybe they're too young, maybe not. Björn Eskildsen (WV De Dommel) looks so strong that a Top3 GC is as possible as the win in the YC. A true contender! Felix Wenner (IGF) is another young rider capable to perform

with the bests! A big fight with Eskildsen for the YC for sure!
  
  Jan-Joost Dussel (peddelen) will try to win the SC for the 5th time... in a row! Old, but still amazing, and we all know that GT is HIS tour! Lean Ahnfeldt-Mollerup (ABK) doesn't like to use his TF, but he just doesn't need it! He will fight to improve his 4th place last season. Kirk Narramore (Connaught) will be on TF again, and as he's the 2nd best from last season, his the one everyone except to get Dussel's throne. Chaleunsouk Souvanhno (Equipo Easy On) is an amazing hilly sprint that will be the main contender for stage 9! Let's see if he can perform in the Top division! Paulis Ronis (mirabelle) is the new kid, and the younger to complete his dream! Lead a team in GT! His form will show him as a big contender for the SC! Let's see if his low experience won't ruin it. Pires will help him for sure! Anton Ugolnikov (Yuri SuperTeam) completes the 3 man fight from last season. Again he must be considered as a favorite especially looking at his support! Anything can happen in Germany! Nico Woltelboer (Team Tirilla) is having an astonishing season and the cherry on top of the cake can easily

become the GT SC. It will be such a close fight that his lack of form won't help him but doesn't decide anything.
  
  NECFTW and Nairobi City Cycling Club will bring TTer's to lead the team. Both are looking for the GC, but the TT stages are the main goal! Michel Aelemans (NECFTW) has a better chance than Isac Tingmann (Nairobi City Cycling Club) to get the Top9 GC, but we can't be sure. The support is there!
  
  Red Star brings a not that strong Ivan Alterman to lead the team. He will probably bring a good form to succeed here! He will be having a hard time in the mountains, but a Top9 stage result is always possible! Ejnar Nordby (omega pharma lotto) doens't have the love in OCM a true leader should have. He usualy underpreforms and don't have the necessary results for an expensive leader like him. This time opl gave him the chance to lead in GT. Let's see if he can do it!
  
  This is a first analysis from the teams before the Tour. Stay tuned to hear more!
  
  
  
   Written by Chief Editor Yuri from Yuri SuperTeam to OCMagazine