Written by Finz of NightmareChaos
  
  Russia warms up for another Perm Tour. A classic in the OCM Calender, it attracted twenty capable teams from division three and around. With riders in topform and prepared for just this race we can expect fireworks in this four stage race. The big question is, who will be able to secure the best position after stage one and can that position be secured after stage two. If that is the case, the winner is known. Who will win the fuchsia jersey and who will just miss it. For the overall classification we should pay close attention to Olivier Wittendorp. The youth jersey will belong to Yonnas Lelisa and who will win the sprinters jersey, difficult but we believe Drew Weis can do it again.
  
   Lots o Huggin Bear
  
  With a complete Libyan team Lots o Huggin Bear is one of few who supports their own nation and stays away from importing mediocre foreigners for high wages. With Fathi Asharaa they have a more then decent rider that can surprise on stage one. Stage four however is their main goal with a chance on winning the Sprinters Jersey.
  
   Auro team
  
  Is Bernardo Mejia in topform, that is the question. If he is this rider can do good in the tough second stage and maybe even get a result. With a decent timetrial this rider can secure a top nine finish in the overall standing. A result is too far fetched however.
  
   old town racing club
  
  With Griswald Pepper in topform this team is a serious contender for a General Classification victory. After participating in Cymru Taith we fear this team has bitten more then he could chew. Although in great form they are too tired to succeed in reaching the top places and should be lucky if they can earn some cash and points.
  
   Onie
  
  Onie signed up again for a tour and he does so with Nathan Mulder as captain this time. Usually Nathan works as a lead out for other riders but, this time he can try to secure a good result for himself. With a decent squad behind him it would be possible if he surprises in one of the four stages. Do not expect miracles though, a third place would be a victory.
  
   Avataria
  
  Avataria joined with their youngster Filip Hamre and he is in topform. With his abilities in the mountains he could surely be able to win the Youth Classification. Age and team are on his side, he lacks experience for winning the tour. And we will find him in a top five spot in the General Classification perhaps winning the youth jersey.
  
   mutants madrid
  
  With Sam Telkamp we see mutants madrid back in a division three tour. We hope they do better then last time because Norway Tour was not their best tour. A decent climber but no timetrial experience

will leave this team with a chance of points in stage two. Nothing more, probably less.
  
   Burren Connemara
  
  They say Cillian Cassidy has bought a house in Perm and is in love with a local girl. He always returns. This time it is Drew Weis who should win this race. Drew is in great form and with a decent team behind him and the experience of winning it already. Welcome back and we hope you will be able to come more often but, we bet you will. A result in the stages is possible and when he is lucky a top three in the General Classification.
  
   Manisaspor
  
  Manisaspor is bringing his number one sprinter Sabri Rasim to the race but, his real captain is Ezechiel Halmageanu. This Romanian should be able to do good in some stages to secure a nice result. And if he fails, the can always go for Rasim on stage four to win that bunch sprint in Perm.
  
   Cyclocomotiv
  
  Cyclocomotiv is not very known in Perm. With Wittendorp in topform things can change fast. One of the biggest challengers with chances of winning the tour. Wittendorp is in great shape, he has a good team behind him and if they all work for him he can surely win it.
  
   NightmareChaos
  
  With Korney Agliulin in topform NightmareChaos is having a great chance of becoming his own successor. The team is completely Russian and he will get the support from the crowed. With topform and a good result on stage one this team can become the first to win Perm three times.
  
   PEKAC B
  
  Behuslav Racko won the Sprint Classification in Norway Tour and three stages. In Perm he wants to win the Sprint Classification again and for that he only needs to win two stages. He will be tired though and probably wont bring his Norwegian form to Russia. A result or a win in the first or last stage would be a great result. A new jersey is a miracle though.
  
   CK Hymer
  
  Swedish CK Hymer is the third team that sends a complete national line up. Six Swedes will try to compete for the General Classification. With Sten Hallkvist they have a great rider who will try to make a difference in the time trial. Can he repeat his Fast on Wheels victory or will he again fall short in securing a tour victory, just like in Portugal and America. A stage win for this rider is possible.
  
   Pomada
  
  Pomada has Cobus Rijkaard and he is their sprinter. With him they want to win the Sprint Classification. This rider has a team with him that should support him to get a nice result. The abilities of Cobus Rijkaard will be too small to secure a result in one of the two sprint stages and

a top nine is all Pomada should hope for.
  
   Darkwave Recordings
  
  With Co Postuma Darkwave Recordings enter Perm with a well known rider. With Gudmundur Bormarsson they should have a rider that should go for the results. We believe Co Postuma is helping Gudmundur in the stages with the hills and Co should give Gudmundur support in the parade race. No real expectations for this team, every point earned is a bonus.
  
   ASADO Team
  
  ASADO Team joins with Sabatore Tejada as their captain. This sprinter wants to surprise in the last stage. Too weak for the first three stages this team is with no chance for the General Classification and we fear that they will not make top nine in the last stage. It will be a good experience for this team to ride a tour in Russia though.
  
   POM Wonderful
  
  As if it was planned, POM Wonderful was the first of three American teams to invade Russia. We believe this is an organized manoeuvre of intimidation. We greeted their presence with vodka and thus their intentions were smothered. Yonnas Lelisa is the captain for POM Wonderful and this Eritrean can do very nice things. He is tired though.
  
   Super Velo
  
  American number two, Super Velo, has in Mannes Ligthart a Dutch sprinter for his team to secure points. They will get some points but, this rider is too weak to get a result. Maybe in the end they will do good in the Sprint Classification and every point earned should be celebrated.
  
   jmtoler
  
  This team has only one goal, to win the timetrial in Perm. With a couple of specialist they have a decent chance to get some points and maybe even a result. They are no thread for the General Classification and they are not bothered with that. Only stage three counts and we should only see them up front if they are in a break away.
  
   Eriknogwat
  
  With a third place last season they earned the right to participate again. Jozua Bodde is ready to improve his third spot. He has a decent team with him and he could be in topform. If he is he is a rider to be watched. He will again do good and perhaps even win the tour.
  
   Team WonderDee
  
  When the saying, the last shall be first will be followed Team WonderDee will win Perm Tour. Entering as last team, using his reserved spot from the second place last year, they want to do better this time. With Sadolin a bit tired we do not think they will use him as captain. It would be a waste of effort. This team will probably loose their reserved spot and finish outside the top five. They should expect a tour that is not just that.