Once again, it’s time to select a few names that will most likely be making an impact this season and the seasons to come. The In Focus team have bravely toured the world in search of these fresh young talents, some of which will be known whilst some will be completely new to most managers. From a new African cycling nation to the shores of Costa Rica to the temples of Japan, the In Focus team misses none of the young talents (except Levis, Abston, Gordeyeva etc last season – ahem).
  
   Susumu Miyazaki – 23 – Hommerts Cycling Team - Sprinter
  
  “Susu” is a rider that could possibly have been a Young Gun last year, but another year of training and experience now sees the Japanese youngster as one of the most exciting prospects in OCM. Still only 23, Miyazaki had a steady maiden season compiling six results and one victory in Division 2, 3 and 4. Although a highly competent sprinter, his all-round ability means the rider will no doubt be looking at pastures further afield that just sprints. He may well figure strongly in the Tours and is likely to be one of the favourites for the Green Jersey in the upcoming Volta au Porto.
  
   Fenton Sommers – 24 – Dodge – Time-triallist
  
  Dodge’s new young star, Fenton Sommers, is the first time-triallist to be given the label of Young Gun. A team focusing on national riders, the lack of young Australian talent has frustrated Dodge in recent seasons, but the team look to have hit the jackpot with Sommers. A highly gifted time-triallist, Sommers has also shown a like of the cobblestones which could potentially seem him competing at the Tweedaagse van Antwerpen someday. A rider with more ability to come, Sommers could be the rider that brings Dodge back into

Division 1 and take the pressure of Ian Defley, who is currently struggling for form.
  
   Toby Caraway – 25 – Ursus RT - Climber
  
  New Trinidad and Tobago star,Toby Caraway, is a name that OCM fans will have recently heard for the first time, with his 3rd place in the Division 1 Alpe d’Huez Classic. His first podium result in OCM also gave him his first points in OCM. As a new rider, it’s hard to gauge where his strengths lie but sources within the Ursus RT camp suggest that his ability on the Climbs and Hills match that of the great Swedish climber, Äme Anderberg. However, his fear of going down the mountains is a something that is likely to hold him back somewhat. If these sources are true, then we certainly have a future champion on our hands
  
   Karl Aerts – 23 – WTC Stoffer - Sprinter
  
  Very much in the mould of last year’s Young Gun Dan Korosec, Aerts is a specialist of the hilly sprint. An impressive debut season saw him deliver ten results including a staggering six victories which lifted his team, WTC Stoffer, from Division 7 to Division 2. As a relatively new Belgium outfit, WTC Stoffer will now have to slowly build a lead out train to support Aerts in the more competitive Division 2 sprints.
  
   Curtis Defore – 23 – Scilian - Cobblist
  
  Scilian have been climbing the ranks at an astonishing rate and much of this has been down to their Romanian Cobblist, Leopold Istrate – though one should also not forget their English sprinter, Douglas Sullivent. Their focus on cobbling looks set to continue, this time in the form of Bermudan Curtis Defore,

who looks one of the brightest cobbling prospects about. Defore notched an impressive maiden result this week finishing 3rd at the Pre-Roubaix Classic and looks set to support Istrate in the upcoming Tweedaagse van Antwerpen. And who knows, he could be a captain in this race in the years to come.
  
   Tshepo Sokopo – 25 – Team E - Climber
  
  Lesotho has never been regarded as a big cycling nation but Tshepo Sokopo may well change that. Sokopo trails in the wake of Lesotho’s other cycling star, Masipho Mabitle (RVS), and, between the two of them, are turning the country’s sports fans towards cycling. Sokopo’s victory last season at the Swedish Syterpasset was televised live on National TV and both riders are now national heroes. Sokopo is a talented climber and is likely to dominate the Division 5 climbing races which may see bigger teams sniffing around the rider in an attempt to sign him up.
  
   Truman Vancil – 25 – Equipo Easy On - Puncheur
  
  In Gregory Levis, Brody Rimmer, Corwin Wyeth and Edgar Wilby, Equipo Easy On could quite easily have written their own Caribbean version of this article. However, it’s relatively unknown that we’re on the look out for and in Truman Vancil, EEO have unearthed another young star. Already one of the best hillers about, Vancil also packs a punch on the flat and apparently there’s more to come from the 25 year old. Vancil would be set to dominate the hilly races for the foreseeable future were it not for Urbano Menem (Team Whalers) who looks just as good and is three years younger than the Saint Lucia rider. Vancil is the third Caribbean talent on this list and it surely won’t be long before we see one of the Islands competing at the Clash of Nations.