Written by The Erwinator of Silenzio
  
  Preview Volta ao Porto
  
  
  Favourites Sprint Classification
  
  According to the latest information there are only four teams sending in a complete sprinting-team to Portugal. There won’t be a defender present, since Kerry Hadaway is absent. In fact, none of the former winners of the SC is present, so we are sure to get a new man wearing green in Porto. Windy coastline stage 2 and 4, hillstage 8 and most importantly the paradestage 10 will be decided among the four sprinting teams. And during the prologue (stage 1) and the ITT in Porto (stage 5) there will be some points in the mix for the strong sprinters as well. The battle for the SC should thus be among the four pure sprintingsquads, with a couple of outsiders who deserve mention.
  
  
  
  
   Teodor Sandberg – 32yo ( CK Hymer) *****
  Although we have to go back to season 54 to find a win for the Scandinavian sprinting beast of CK Hymer, Teodor should be considered the major favourite for the green jersey in Portugal. The fierce wind prediction in coastline stages 2 and 4 should suit him well and also the parade into Porto in stage 10 should be very much to the liking of the Swede. Surprisingly enough its the hilly stage 8 that is already on the palmares. Also, don’t be surprised if he snatches some points in the opening prologue and the flat TT in the city of Porto in stage 9. He was fifth in season 50 and second in season54, when Casper van der Horst did beat him with a margin of 10 points. Last season he ended disappointingly at spot 8. Still our clear favourtie for this season. Time to finally show his worth! If Teodor would disappoint though, the team could also be playing the card of Hektor Jansson
  
   Urmas Haapakoski – 25 yo

in TF ( TeamTVM) ****
  
  After a promissing start of his career, winning the Cup of the Four Rivers aged 21 and the SC in Fast on Wheels when 23, Urmas has been plagued with injuries and setbacks to supporting roles for the captains of the young French team in last season. As a team they impressed over the last couple of seasons. Now, Urmas is claiming to get back to his old form and being prepared better than ever for his main goal this season in Portugal. Its questionable if he has the skill to keep up with the peloton when the road is slightly off from perfectly flat, but if he is consistently present in the frontline of the peloton in the final kilometers of the sprintstages: expect to hear some Finnish finsihline victory-shouts.
  
   Romuald Maes – 29 yo ( Talwin) ****
  
  The man who almost singlehandedly arranged the rapid promotion of this French outlet Talwin), should be considered as one of the two main challengers of Sandberg in this edition. His high technical abilities enables him to always position himself well – helped by teammates or not – makes him a contender in any sprintrace. The leadout-train of the team is less impressive than those of the other main sprinting squads, but decent enough to assist a captain of this stature. In season 55 he managed to win the sprinting jersey in Russia (Perm Tour) and in season 52 he did it in Denmark (Fast on Wheels). As long as the TTs don’t get uphill or become too long, Romuald should be considered an outsider in this discipline too, but he has to be aware in the stages where wind might tear the pack apart. Will he add the green jersey to his collection in what should be one of the prime years of his career?
  
   Rajnay Bela – 23yo ( Silenzio ***
  
  The man turned 23yo just a few days ago and his team still needs to adapt to the multiple changes that currently were set in

motion the last few weeks. Yet, Rajnay is a very complete sprinter that should do especially well in the stages where some hills are involved, although he doesn’t have any experience in leading teams in races in the main peloton. His only result so far was in an U23-race. Whether he will be good enough to threaten the former three riders is questionable, but it would not be the first time Silenzio suprises us with a captain that should be considerd an underdog at best.
  
   Elias Ntibitura – 25 yo ( Silver Giant ) **
  
  Never ever underestimate Burundian site Silver Giant . They might not bring a full sprinting squad in support, but Elias seems to be in best of moods lately and has been training his ass of to be in optimal shape for the festivities around Porto.
  
  Outsiders *
  
  Other teams might not bring in a full sprinting squad, but can still reckon on decent riders to aim for results in the sprinty stages. How about 35 yo old Chris-George Buelens of Stroopwafel, which has also in their ranks the younger speedy man Jorn Dijksma?
  
  Elsewhere in the field there is Kremer with Alfred Rudzi?ski, who might especially be looked out for in the hilly stage 8.
  
  Another long shot would be Yulius Terreros of ekaitz team.