Written by Christian of Team WonderDee
  
  Five days after the best sprinters of 4th division fighted for glory in the American classic Baltimore Invitational, they meet again in a bit tougher terrain in Russia. The Russian sprint classic, got some small climbs and hills to challenges the riders. But most likely we will again see a mass sprint between the best sprinters of the division.
  
  The Route
  From the starting line in Orel the peloton will race south against the finish line in Kursk. Some small climbs and hills on the way with a uphill sprint in the final, but is it hard enough to make problems for the pure sprinters?
  
  The Weather
  Grey in the morning, but sunny in the afternoon with 16 degrees. The wind is stronger than in Baltimore Invitational, with 12.2 m/s. The direction of the wind is southwest, which is a headwind for the majority of the day.
  
  The Contenders
   Homero Carabali (ACAB)
  ACAB and Carabali with a 6ht place in Baltimore Invitational, but the team had bigger expectations then that. I want to see a reaction from the ACAB boys, and I would be surprised if we didn’t see one. Carabali taking the win is a long shot, but you just never know.
  
   Romano Carreno (CGPBMARCH)
  The 23 year old Spanish is not the fastest in a bunch sprint, but the uphill finish is to his liking. His sprint chances will depend on how much work he has to do in the wind.
  
   Fergus Estelle (Team Legends)
  The Bermudian is the main man at Team Legends, they will fully commit to him. He is very good in windy conditions, as is most of his team. The finale of the race will be interesting for the team, as Estelle is strong in the uphill sprints.
  
   Cristoforo Jumaga (Oscar en Luna)
  The 26 year old have already three wins to his name this season, which will give him a nice boost. The Italian is a fine sprinter, and he can also handle a climb or two.
  
   Marius Bostrup (A Siberia)
  Bostrup didn’t picked the right wheels to follow in Baltimore, and need to try again to pick the right wheel in the final sprint. A uphill

sprint fits the Dane better then the flat sprint on Monday.
  
   Perry Swinnen (Sons of the Desert)
  Likes the wind, loves an uphill sprint, he ticks a few boxes for this classic. He’s had a good season with winning the sprint classification in Tour of the Sanreizan, but bit of a disappointment in Baltimore Invitational with a 9th place.
  
   Axel Collet (Darkwave Recordings)
  Could Darkwave Recordings win both Baltimore Invitational and Orel-Kursk Classic in the same week? Willis Thacker won in Baltimore on Monday, but is the main lead out man in the sprint for the 35 year old frenchmen. Collet coming in super form for the Russian classic who he won in season 47.
  
   Frederick Denson (Icecat)
  Got very close to win Baltimore Invitational, but his legs didn’t have the last kick to win the sprint in USA. Could he get his sweet revenge?
  
   Gennady Sitnikov (mortenryt)
  No wins yet for the Ukraine sprinter, that will be cause for some concern. On one occasion he came close with a 3rd in Malmö - Skaane. Sitnikov will be fired up in his first classic, the team will be fired up, can they deliver the win?
  
   Marciano Ontclair (SUD)
  Usually brilliant in the wind, the little Italian hasn’t enjoyed the last days after he was unlucky, picking up a mechanical at the wrong time in Baltimore Invitational. Could he strike back in Russia? But he needs again to do the job himself, since he lack a lead out train.
  
   Karol Nadolski (Dinosaur Racers)
  Coming off last week in good form, after the 2nd place in the Youth Classification of Tian-Shen Stone City Cup. I want to see more of the young Polish sprinter, and I think he could be a dark horse in the uphill sprint in Kursk.
  
   Bryan Wuets (Official Hooligans)
  The last year winner looks in brilliant form. While some of his rivals are having to put their noses in the wind, he’s sitting back in the bunch simply waiting for the sprint. Got a strong lead out train to support him in the final sprint.