written by Pele of VC Botafogo
  
  „Schweizer Alpen, Alpes suisses, Alpi svizzere or Alps svizras” – The Swiss Alps is what it is alll about in the Monte Rosa Tour. This 3rd Division tour brings about some of the best climbers in the OCM world, seeing top division teams drop purposely and 4th division hopefuls fight for last minute points to gain access to this tour. All seeking to take the trophy at Palais Eynard on Rue de la Croix-Rouge following 5 stages of immense challenges in the Alps.
  
  This seasons edition is no different and with no less than 7 riders with 55 or above average and 30 riders above 50 average, several riders in Top form, the competition will be fierce and every failure will become costly. Indeed the MRT places itself on par with its older Portuguese brother, Volta ao Porto in the lineup. Starting with the small prologue in Bern, the peloton will reach the first ascends in the Jura Mountains on second stage before entering the Monte Rosa Massif in the Canton of Valais for the King Stage. The rider lifting the Charles Hudson trophy following the ascend of the Dufourspitze is in good position to take the General Classification. Yet two further stages will bring the peloton to St. Moritz and from there to the final finish in Genevé, and only in Genevé will the winner be certain.
  
  Merely 10 minutes since the signup opened the field of teams had been filled. The short and frantic sign up period brought in some interesting and strong contestants. Greenride a team commonly known from its first division appearance has dropped down to participate with a strong team led by Norwegian Tourrider, Øystein Vangen. Greenride won the General Classification at the third edition of the MRT and with both Top Form and a very strong team with riders like Arfan Hussein, Adi Bauermann and Guálter Matos, the Norwegian is amongst the favourites to claim the title. Another Portuguese team has gained access as well, as WalrusPT led by French 29 year old tourrider, Brendan Huynh. Brendan will be supported (amongst others) by youngster Tomás Rosa and Portuguese fellow Antão Teles. He has a stage win in the ninth edition on the stage from Lugano to St. Moritz, where he also claimed eighth in the final classification.
  
  Speaking of Brendan Huynh, his former team Joss also signed up. 25 year old German, Friedhelm Kuhlmey will captain the team. Kuhlmey has had excellent preparations taking 3 podiums spots up until now during the season and supported by the “Spanish Armada”, Pinero, Salgada and Rodriquez. He could just go and show to become the surprise of the Tour. From the Balkan, Ponika joins the field led by youngster Vid Lazic in top form shadowed by his four year older countryman Viktor Bertovic. Young Lazic could also be the surprise of the tour and a rider to follow for the coming seasons. Within close proximity of Ponika, Slovakian team Scorpions POPRAD enters with a Slovak/Czech team consisting of team captain and "all three" maestro Martin Farkas. Sprintje bergop enters with Olaf van Damme a notable Dutch Climber recently claiming the trophy of the special East Egg Race. Such efforts such not go about unnoticed.
  
  Three teams from United States of America join with trackstah07, Alpha Plus and Super Velo. Trackstah07

is led by downhill expert Sebastian Amor and a strong team with plenty of experience. Trackstah07 won the edition 6 with Damin Iacob writing history as his lieutenant Erskine Pettis took second.
  
  Alpha Plus arrives with a top-formed Baltazar Pitillas, which makes the Spaniard part of the large field of outsiders. Alpha Plus is no “newbie” and should be taken seriously. Super Velo enters with a team for the prologue and the final sprint at Palais Eynard. Led by Bruce Thomason. Super Velo will likely become companion with, amongst others, Lastbjørn BMX Spårts, Optimus Prime and Onie, when a “Gruppetto” is established during second stage. Famous sprinter, Victor Pardo leads Onie for the sprint in Genéve and the team will try making a run for it at the Prologue with Nathan Mulder. Danish team Lastbjørn BMX Spårts are given little to no chance entering with a team saying “they’re in it for tha’ lulz”. Optimus Prime is similar to Onie in with a Sprinting/TT team set to take the trophy in either Bern, with Thorsten Roberts or Genéve, with Heinrich Matthäus.
  
  From the Iberian Peninsula joins C C Ribadulla with outsider Benjamin Pardo, Dormilon with a mix of sprinters and climbers led by Georgica Crivac and Andorran team Eixample ATH entering with the Scottish Highlander, Aubrey Welling. He will be in topform and aiming for a top result.
  
  Returning to the favourites; last editions number two, Ture Ivansson joins with a strong team. Having vast knowledge about the race, team manager Finz might expect this season to be the one, where Nightmarechaos claims the “Pink Trophy”. Yet the Swedish Climber must battle tirelessly with the Laotian prodigy Anousone Keovilay from Vientiane Cycling supported by both sheer strength and vast experience. The Laotian team enters, as with NightmareChaos, with support from the “Green Fairy” to their captains. They will also meet the Australian, Tom “The Beauty” Bella when entering the steep ascends. “The Boys from Brazil” joins the already strong field with the Aussie that everybody knows, but whom has failed to produce up until now. VC Botafogo’s captain will be supported by his lieutenant Gerasim Filatov, when the leader group is formed.
  
  Finally last years winner of the Race of the Minutemen, Velo Club Bored Man’s Fergus Harrold enters with a team where Chilean Antonio Sastre must perform exceptionally to see his Captain stay amongst the favourites. However no one should underestimate the strength of the Englishman and the experience of the team. Harrold’s main contender during the Race of the Minutemen, Beardy Biker’s Pablo Cousin joins the large number of outsiders. Having the ability always to produce, we might just see the Frenchie show some pace, when the speed increases uphill.
  
  Predicting the outcome of this well-packed race with several top formed captains is almost impossible. One thing is certain it will be the small gaps that decide the outcome starting in Bern to the final 100 meters in front of the Palais Eynard.
  
  Prove me wrong and have a nice tour everyone!