Written by Finz of NightmareChaos
  
  Haute Normandie
  
  Division two is gearing up for the first edition of the Haute-Normandie tour. After a difficult start, with some difficulties in signing up for the managers that was delayed for a day, we can announce a nice twenty team roster for this first edition. Overshadowed by an incident regarding a few teams that could not behave within the rules of the OCM calender, everybody is looking forward to this first, division two, cobblestone tour, four stages in the region of Haute-Normandie with their starting point in Le Havre.
  
   Cremtec
  First to enter the tour was Belgian team Cremtec. The have in Max Ballette a great cobbler, young, handsome and above all, Belgian. He is in great shape and is ready to conquer the Haute-Normandie for Belgium. An interesting rider to look for when you are tuning in.
  
   rooney17
  From Denmark we greet rooney17. With Abelardo Rabal they join with a rider that is decent in the flat stages and the time trial stages. Maybe he can secure a big lead that he can get a decent result overall. He will be lucky if he does not lose too much time on the stages.
  
   ScotterPop
  Julian Acker is the French trumpcard. The fact that he rides for an American squad is something that will be forgotten for now. He is a great French rider from the region that can handle the cobblestones very well. The team is very well forged around him and a Youth Classification jersey would be nice. A General Classification victory would be even better but, that will not be the case this season.
  
   Seeds2
  This Scottish team is being lead by Irish number one Dean Sinnott. A great sprinter and a team that wants to score in all the stages. The lack of cobble experience will be vital to the teams chances. They might be able to hang on and finish within the top nine but, nothing more then that. Getting the small points and little money prizes is what they are after.
  
   IndieRock
  The Italian squad with no Italian rider. It is a disgrace for Italian cycling and if they had decent riders it was all o.k. Adley Freeney is the only one that is decent. He could do well in all stages with his experience in cobbling. He has a decent support team with him and he could do well, maybe a top five spot in the General Classification. But there are no Italian riders that can do the same? Eugenio, search harder.
  
   Pelles Gazelles
  Nestor Huijghens is the rider that will lead this team. With a great

potential to be one of the best cobble racers in the world he only needs to hit topform to win this race. It looks like he is aiming for it. He will have to do good in the first stage and then he will win this race, easily.
  
   TACXkin
  From Belgium we have TACXkin. Joining with a veteran by the name of Alexis Terrier. With thirtyfour results behind his name he knows what it is to score points. This rider is very good on the cobble stones and might be in the form of his life. Will he be able to hang on the first stage, this rider should be watched.
  
   Luveaucek
  Will this be the team that takes the first, first prize. They have in Vojislav Bogicevic a great rider from Serbia. This sprinter with the ability the survive on the cobbles could surprise us all if he can hang on with the specialists. He will beat them in the sprint and take the ten seconds bonification. A top three finish would be realistic for this team.
  
   Peloton Pushers
  The English team of Peloton Pushers is a bit difficult to analyze. The weakest team has a decent cobbler in their team. He could be a nice rider in this tour. The team however is not good enough for this tour, there is no quality what so ever and we are a bit disappointed in their excuse. Lince Armstrong said: “We are in a transition phase.” Yea, right.
  
   Rigana
  The Italian Damiano is leading the South African squad of Rigana. A more then decent cobbler with the ability to do good in the first stage to gain time on his competitors. Will this rider be able to finally give Rigana his desired Generall Classification victory. This team wants it soo bad, the lack of cobble teammates might be the reason he will finish outside the podium again.
  
   Pro Cycling Manager
  One of the better cobble riders in the division is Axel Ravn. He could win a stage in this tour and, maybe even win the tour. A great rider with decent support. And with experience and victories in some cobble classics this is a rider that can win this tour.
  
   SilenceLotteFan
  The Belgian squad joined the new tour in France because it was close to their headquarters. With Desire Louvel they have a French rider that could surprise in the first stage. It is only three stages left after that. They could go home after the first stage if they do well there. If they do not, expect them in a break away.
  
   radu
  Sebastiaan Persoens is the rider that will lead this squad here. A

great cobbler with a lot of experience. Will this be his last chance to win a cobble tour. He won the Youth Classification of Tweedaagse van Antwerpen and finished second in the General Classification. He won some important cobble races in his career but, this will be his great moment. A rider to watch.
  
   Designa Legends PPDB
  The Englishman Shamus Worthen is the man that lead Designa Legends PPDB. An Englishman as white as snow with hair made out of carrotjuice. But his but is as hard as the cobbles he ride on. He is fully trained and should be able to win in a sprint if he can beat the cobblers on the stage.
  
   Cider Riders
  The Belgian Flandrien is leading the English squad of Cider Riders. He has a decent team with him to give him that extra edge in the sprint. The big question is, can he manage himself and his team on the cobble paths of Normandie. Maybe Coby Livingston can win stage one to eaze the pain.
  
   Telstra
  Goddard Scothern joined with his manager of Telstra for this first edition of Haute-Normandie. When asked why he joined this tour he answered: “Because tours are fun.” And he is correct, tours are fun. This team might surprise us and the other teams when they win on a break away. Good luck Simon and friends.
  
   Wizzyweb
  With Spanish powerhouse Jose Aguilar, Wizzyweb is joining this first Haute-Normandie. His sprinting abilities are without a doubt magnificent but will he be able to stay upfront on these cobbles streets. If he does he will beat them all and win this race, easily. But we think he will be battling for sixth place.
  
   EkerSvarvarna
  One of the oldest teams in OCM joined this first race. They have a local rider with them that could not only surprise us but, also astowned us by winning this tour. Harald Id, twenty five years old, a cobbler from Sweden. A great rider, in great shape. This rider will get a top three result.
  
   NightmareChaos
  Russian team NightmareChaos was able to sign up very late. They have in Arkady Gavrikov a good sprinter with some experience in cobblestone races. If they work well together they can score a top nine result in a stage. They should go for that.
  
   California Mist
  With Oswald Hudler California Mist has a decent sprinter from England as their captain. The fact that they lack every bit of cobble experience is being dismissed by their team manager as: “Not important when you are from America.” We will see.