At first glance, Sweden is not a big nation in OCM. It only has 23 ranked teams in all 7 Divisions (13th in the world) and 78 ranked riders (11th in the world). But those managers who have been around for any significant amount of time will know that Sweden’s teams and managers have played a big part on the OCM circuit. From the Germany Tour, Cymru Taith and Rider of the Season accolades to Clash of Nations victory, Sweden have had their fingers in a lot of pies.
  
  Any mention of OCM in Sweden will inevitably conjure up one name and one name only - Äme Anderberg. As daggeg, manager of the top-ranked Swedish team Bajen Belfast, commented ‘What can you say? Äme is the main reason why so many youngsters want a racing bike for Christmas. He's simply the man, the myth, the legend.’ A legend indeed. The two-time Germany Tour winner was the ultimate force in OCM for years until his retirement last year. Whilst many were sad to see him go, many riders would have been breathing a sigh of relief at not having to fight for 2nd place in every race. Despite having numerous offers, including coaching opportunities and even a lucrative offer to develop an Äme-branded race bike, Äme is currently enjoying retirement at his home in Sweden. However, one does feel that OCM hasn’t seen the last of this great man.
  
  One man trying to fill the oversized boots vacated by Äme is Ponsbach CST‘s climbing sensation Elias Holmström. Holmström finished last season in the Number 1 position in the OCM rider ranking, amassing a staggering 15 results and was convincingly voted the Best Rider of Season 11. However, there are still doubts in the OCM community over whether he can maintain this form, especially with competition getting stronger and stronger. Certainly, despite walking away with victory in the Alpe D’Huez Classic, Season 12 has not treated him as well.
  
  Other riders trying to fill the gap include Jari Fredriksson (Team RI) who finshed 2nd in the inaugural Tweedaagse van Antwerpen ‘Cobble Tour’ earlier this season and Sven-Olof Dahlström (Bajen Wannabies)

who has seemingly been around forever yet still produces the results. One rider that Sweden is looking at with glee is Team Unibet’s 25 year old Felix Holm who last week produced the result of his short career in taking the much-coveted Cymru Taith.
  
  Despite being one of the smaller nations in OCM as previosuly mentioned, Sweden have 5 teams in the top 50 (the 4th most represented country) – Bajen Belfast, Team RI, Ponsbach CST, Simoni crew and Bajen wannabies. Great national riders obviously contribute to such a presence but Sweden also seems to produce dedicated and astute managers. After a period of consolidation, Bajen Belfast has recently broken into the elite – the OCM top 10 – and with a squad including OCM current Number 1 ranked rider, Hanke Vibbard, they could very well go higher. Also, with three other Swedish teams in the top 22, Sweden are already a force to be reckoned with.
  
  However, despite such success, all is not rosy in Swedish cycling. The Swedish National Team seems to epitomise cycling generally in Sweden. Sweden had a fantastic Season 11 finishing top of the Clash of Nation league. However, the team was very much carried by Äme Anderberg and since his retirement the team has had a torrid time, currently lying in 9th position. It seems that, despite being well represented in the OCM elite, there are very few young Swedish riders coming through the ranks. Sweden has stood on the shoulders of a giant for many years but now, currently giantless, the country has to stand amongst us mere mortals, despite the efforts of Fredriksson and Holm. Holmström is one of the best riders OCM has ever seen but he is certainly no Äme. However, for now he has filled a large void that needed to be filled. With no Swedish young guns on the way, Holm aside, and seemingly not a bright future, Sweden could quite easily have turned its attention to another sport. It is clear Holmström was in the right place at the right time and stands on each Start Line with the weight of a nation on his shoulders. This is a weight that, so far, he has carried with a smile on his face.