Division 1 Racing News
  
  Dundee: The much anticipated showdown between Truman Vancil (Equipo Easy On) and Urbano Menem (Team Whalers) at the Glasgow – Dundee did not materialize as Dino Halil (Siporex) stole the show. Vancil and Menem, both young and still developing, have been rumoured to have exchanged less than kind words in the build up to this race. Both have similar riding strengths and weaknesses, both are at the very start of their careers and both are hungry for success. In a cagey and tactical race, it was ultimately decided by who rode smarter. Halil rode smartest of all, with Menem in 2nd and Vancil finishing in 9th. With his 2nd place, Menem can claim to have won the first battle between the two but Vancil will no doubt be attempting to redress this balance over the coming season.
  
  In LA, there was a first win for new sprinting star Conrado Fraga (Gradient Levellers) in the Los Angeles Pursuit. The Portuguese rider outsprinted Broderick Rimmer (Equipo Easy On) and Ralph van Bon (Team Airik) to the line and celebrated in style by bear-hugging each of his lead out train. Not the most diplomatic of riders, Fraga issued a warning, ‘Norwich – London – you are next.’ There was another maiden win at the Liechtenstein Rundfahrt for Edric Seese (CCFC). The English rider dominated the final climb and beat notable stars such Sterling Dorsher and Viggo Monsen who also claimed top 9 spots. Germany

Tour winner, Amadeu Brasil (Bajen Belfast), finished 2nd with Tito Vera (Gradient Levellers) in 3rd.
  
  Broderick Rimmer consoled himself by promptly winning yesterday’s hilly race from Dublin to Sligeach. Rimmer was the only sprinter to remain in the front group until the end and easily out-sprinted Riyah Hashim (skils) and Natanael Solano (Ursus RT) to the line. The win moves the Caribbean team to within 250 points of skils and the Number 1 spot and a chance of overhauling a lead than once seemed unassailable.
  
  Earlier in the week Lisbon warmed up for next week’s Volta au Porto by holding the Lisbon GP. It was Jens Wesbergen (Cykilsta) who claimed victory and his first result of the season. Former World Champion Pauli Michielsen (skils) and Pascal Lannoye (FFL) also notched up their first season results by finishing 2nd and 3rd.
  
   Outside the Top Division
  
  There were big races aplenty outside the Top Division as no less than three Classics took place in two days. First it was Division 5 as Roger Yoder (10pint) claimed Italy’s Classico di Siracusa sprint. It was a first career victory for the 27 year old Englishman and he chose the perfect stage to break his duck. Portugal claimed places 2nd and 8th with Halge Shalen, perhaps one of the steadiest pros in the lower

divisions, and Plácido Campos. Wob Witting (Monkeys United) completed the podium in 3rd.
  
  Division 2’s first Classic of the Season was Austria’s Ainet – Bruggen and defending champion, Frerik van Fessum (lanceerbaar), completed a successful double. The Dutchman clearly enjoys racing in the Austrian mountains and this victory adds to his four from last season. Cornelis Veldhuis’ 5th place added to what was a highly successful Austrian trip for the Dutch outfit. Quentin Driskill (Guernsey Racers) gained his second 2nd place of the year, which moves the Englishman up to 15th in the OCM rankings. Norwegian international Kristen Vatne finished 3rd.
  
  The final Classic of the week was in Division 6 where the inaugural Budapest Meeting Point Cobble Classic was held in Hungary. Slovakian sprinter Rastislav Gašpar (vlaflip) claimed his first victory for the team following his recent move from RTX. It was his first victory for two seasons and the move to the British Virgin Islands club certainly seems to have given him a new lease of life. Wallace Fouts (Aussie National Team) finished 2nd with Wolter Holst (DISOWN) finishing 3rd.
  
  And finally....
  
  ....readers looking forward to a review of the recent big cobble races won’t have to wait long. New journalist Tirilla will be reviewing all races after the finish of the Tweedaagse van Antwerpen.