A year ago, we scoured the globe in search of the fresh, young talent of OCM. We gave you 7 names, names that we thought would make an impact in Season 12 and in the seasons to come. From a World Championships winner to Classics successes, some of these riders have indeed made an impact. Others have not. So, let’s have a look at the successes and failures of the Young Guns in Season 12.
  
  The Successes
  
  1. Isaak Papadimitriou – Club Ciclista Riaza
  
  Had this article been written yesterday, I would certainly not have put Isaak Papadimitiou as the most successful of the 7 Young Guns. However, today he propelled himself to the top of this list by winning the World Championships in Australia, the most coveted one day road race of the season. Winning this race at his first attempt at the tender age of 26 is a remarkable achievement for the Greek star. Second at the Volta au Porto, 8th in Germany and six victories has propelled him up the OCM rankings to 12th place. Club Ciclista Riaza have unearthed a jewel, a winning jewel, and one that is likely to sparkle brightly for the foreseeable future. A top 3 in Germany and representing his country in the Clash of Nations are the only dreams that he has left to fulfil.
  
  2. Dan Korošec - Team iPower
  
  Team iPower’s sprinter Dan Korošec would most certainly have been top of this list were it not for Papadimitriou’s WC success today. The Slovenian powerhouse has had a remarkable season and has, most importantly, shone in the big races. Stage victories in the Volta, Cymru Taith and Germany show that this youngster is one to watch out for in the Green Jersey competitions in the future.

These are coupled with a win at Division 1 Classic, the Lappi Sea GP and a 2nd at the Division 1 cobbles Classic, the Astana GP. Team iPower managed, ichti, commented, ‘We expected a lot from Dan, but certainly not this much’. I think the whole of OCM will be expecting more things from this rider next season.
  
  3. Fabrício Malta - Delfins Team
  
  Fabrício Malta is another young gun whose star has shone more brightly than others. Malta’s nine results over the season, including two Division 2 Classic wins at Mito – Tokyo and the Helsinki GP Mini, have propelled Delfins Team up the rankings and has made him one of the most feared sprinters of the lower divisions. Pundits are still unsure whether the Portuguese sprinter has the ability to compete in the top division but at this rate we won’t have to wait long to find out the answer to that question.
  
  4. Tito Vera - Gradient Levellers
  
  The last few weeks have been kind to Tito Vera of the Gradient Levellers and have meant that I will err on the side of success when judging his season. The young Balearic Islands rider first showed his talent at the Volta when, following the injury of team captain Yasunari Yamauchi, he stepped up and finished a respectable 7th. Promotion followed shortly for the English outfit, but the rise in class of the competition seemed to faze the youngster as he finished 10th – 15th no less than five times. However, he now seems to have readjusted and recently took his first win at Lillehammer – Dovre and a 3rd at the Division 1 Classic, Criterium La Provence. Fans from Majorca to Formentera will be drooling at the prospect of seeing him racing up more Division 1 climbs

next season.
  
  The Failures
  
  One of the most naturally talented riders in years, Bartosz Ozóg was one of the favourites for the Volta and seemingly had the world at his feet. However, whilst wearing Gold, a poor performance in the Portuguese mountains cost him a place in the history books. The results refused to come after the Tour and Velo Club Bored Man eventually got fed up and sold him to omega pharma lotto. A solitary podium after the transfer does not represent a good return for a rider so talented. However, at 24 Ozóg has many years ahead of him to make up for all this, and one would not be surprised if this rider still has a say in the OCM hostory books.
  
  Miron Golovina (G D RAPOSENSE), a former youth winner at Essex, is another who promised much but has not delivered. Some may see it as harsh to label the Kazak’s season as a ‘failure’, but he is a much better rider than 3 lower division podiums. Indeed, he has recently lost his captaincy to the El Salvidor sprinter, Valentin Obrégon, who has now scored more points. Season 13 will be a test of his character to see if he can regain it.
  
  And finally....
  
  ....a search party had to be sent out to find the last young gun, Jeraldo Piedrahita, who has been virtually anonymous all season. Seen by his team, Team Zyte, as the man to replace Ame and get the Danish powerhouse back into Division 1, the Argentinean’s season total of 33 OCM points have seen the team fall into Division 5. This failure must, however, be put into a context where Team Zyte have competed in a team record low number of races. Despite appearing ultra-talented, rumours have come out that he will ultimately never live up to the potential he once showed. It just goes to show that not all young guns have the calibre to succeed.