Written by Finz of NightmareChaos
  
  In Russia there is a saying, Ishchi vetra v pole. That mean that you can not catch the wind in a net. With so much wind these days around Perm, the riders should bring a sail instead. The best wind breaker will win the race in the end.
  
   Szirmai Világos
  
  With a somewhat disappointing Norway Tour Szirmai Világos is in Perm with Forgács Otto to try and win a Youth Classification. But his team should be performing better and we hope they rested well after their Norway trip.
  
   lexx
  
  Spanis team lexx has faith in their Spanish star Sevastian Alemany. With decent support in the mountains he should do well in the two stages that go uphill. If he can manage to stay with the big guys in the timetrial a nice result could be in the pocket.
  
   iheb pro team
  
  Tunisian team iheb pro team is ready for another great race by Ammar Zanagui. With one tour won and two Youth Classifications, Monte Rosa Tour and Race of the Minutemen, they want to add a fourth jersey. We do not think he will end up first but a stage win in the King stage might prove us wrong. Let us see what you got.
  
   Silver Giant
  
  Again with a full Burudian team Silver Giant is here to show what Burundi is worth. Francois Gasana should again try and win the Youth Classification as he is a great rider and he should go for jerseys he can win. Not a General Classification but a Youth Classification, you have to start somewhere, right.
  
   Ponika
  
  Croatian team Ponika is working for Vid Lazic. This rider has not won yet this season, or finished in the top three for that matter but, with a tour victory and stage wins in Volta ao Porto this is a rider that can catapult himself up the ranks with a win in the big mountain stage. If he does not lose much time in the first stage he could get his first results in Russia.
  
   Britcycles
  
  Hartmann Sadolin is the undisputed captain of Britcycles. Rumour has it that he is in a difficult position within the team. The manager is not satisfied with his results compared to what is paid for him. Can he turn around his fortune and make his manager proud or does he have to find another home soon. Time will tell.
  
   Pomada
  
  Former

topteam but, now more down to earth team, Pomada is working for Cristos Perezs. The Spaniard should be able to climb with the better rider in Perm. In the end he lacks strength in the hill stage to really go for the General Classification and only the money he earns matters for the team.
  
   Onie
  
  Onie is bringing with him topform. The question is, will it last. Most likely it will not last and thus it will be in vain to place any bets on Pardo. Farruco Kiko should be his trump this time. A result in the timetrial would be more the special. That is all for this team.
  
   The Killers
  
  When there is one, there is another. Second Dutch team The Killers is here with Teo Campos as captain. Brecht Naets is probably saved for something more important but will serve as a luxury leadout in Perm. A victory in the sprint would be nice and not very far fetched.
  
   Eriknogwat
  
  Number three Eriknogwat is completing the Dutch armada and works with Jozua Bodde or Dirk Horring. Jozua Bodde could do great in the timetrial and after that he can work for Horring, unless he does stellar in the timetrial and he can try to repeat it in the hill stage to secure a nice result. Choices to be made, that is for sure.
  
   NightmareChaos
  
  Seventh participation in Perm and still it is not boring when they arrive. NightmareChaos is here with a mixed team of youngsters. They have no high hopes as they are aiming for something bigger. Maybe one of the young ones can go on adventure and snatch a victory away.
  
   Darkwave Recordings
  
  Great form is brought over by Darkwave Recordings we counted three rider in topform and Luis Landim could surprise us on the hill stage when he keeps his form. An interesting group of both young and old and hard to tell who they go for.
  
   Honor et Patria
  
  Romanian Honor et Patria is riding for Gualter Matos and he is in topform. Maybe this rider is the one that will upset everybody else and go bring a General Classification victory to Romania. I think this is a safe bet for anyone that participates in the betting competition. They should go for the big win and anything less is a dissapointment.
  
   Joss
  
  Joss is bringing Arild Selnes

in topform. Will it last, if it does he could ride two good tours, winning Perm Tour and runner up in Norway. He should be doing very well in the mountain stage and with that secure enough time to try and win the race. If his topform goes away however, that could do damage to the overall Team Shape and all will be in vain.
  
   lastplace1414
  
  Interesting to see who will be the captain for lastplace1414. The American team should go for their youngster Don Helton. He is not their best rider but is their best guy for a jersey. The Youth Classification should be a goal. Being American that could also mean that he has a completly different strategy and only thinks big.
  
   jmtoler
  
  With Jens Haugland, jmtoler is trying to win the timetrial. jmtoler is a team that only has focus on the race against the clock and we will not see his riders in any other stage. If this team did not get a result on stage three then his tour is a failure.
  
   nonnies
  
  Second African team is nonnies from South Africa. They want to win the Sprint Classification and with Heriberto Radondo they have a great rider to do so. The biggest problem is the injury for Mindaugas Kurtinaitis received after signing up. This gave a blow to Team Spirit and might be a problem in the final meters as he is lacking help.
  
   Telstra
  
  Biggest rival for Honor et Patria is Telstra. With an Australian squad they are trying to get the General Classification. With Logan Fittler in topform and being an excellent climber he could enjoy a nice ride in stages one and two. If he win stage two a victory is secure.
  
   Treaty City CC
  
  Will Treaty City CC take over the baton of Burren Connemara. With Abel Wilkin they have a great climber that could do good in the mountains. And with the climbing stage the big decider in Perm with a decent result there, a decent General Classification is possible. Maybe he can win it if he brought a bit of the Irish luck with him.
  
   Herens Cycling
  
  What can we say about this team. The moment they knew they had to go to Russia the team got sick for no reason. With two injuries they are going for the last man standing trophy. With most likely one last man standing at the end of the race. An interesting team when it was not so decimated by injuries.