Division 1 Racing News
Zürich: Dirk ‘He-man’ Herman (Telek@m) wrote himself a little piece of history this week as the only modern day cyclist in OCM to defend a Classic title – this time the Zürich-Bern-Zürich in Switzerland. Herman beat out Elias Holmström (Ponsbach CST) and Nico Holt (Ursus RT) on the final climb to claim victory. Holmström, Season 12’s Best Climber, was diplomatic in defeat and told journalists, ‘On the final climb I looked into Dirk’s eyes and asked how he was feeling. He simply replied ‘I have the power’, and I knew he was strong. Fair play to He-man.’ As one of the only Classics to come with a trophy, it now seems that Telek@m are one of the only team in OCM with two trophies in their Palmeres.
Meanwhile, across the border in Innsbruck Viggo Monsen took his second career victory. It was an emotional experience for the Norwegian who has had to do some soul searching after a poor debut season which saw him voted Season 12’s Most Disappointing Rider. This victory will be a real confidence boost and certainly adds value to his comments at the recent Awards ceremony – he wants to put Season 13’s Best Breakthrough Rider next to his Season 12 trophy. Sterling Dorsher (FFL) finished 2nd with Amadeu Brasil (Bajen Belfast) in 3rd.
The first climbing race of the week was in Poland where Nico Holt scored his second result of the week (2nd) in the climbs of Piechowice – Karpacz. The race had a surprising winner though in the form of Juan De Saldanha (Pomada), who scored not only his first ever result in the top division but also the first victory of his career. The Paraguayan, who often rides in the shadow of team captain Tulio Tuero, is clearly a talented climber and will hope to be given more opportunities to rider as | | captain. Christoph Frisch (Team iPower) completed the podium, the Danish team also scoring an 8th with Yasunari Yamauchi.
The sprinters had their eyes focused on just two sprinting races this week, but with a succession of sprints and hilly sprints coming up next week, including the prestigious Norwich – London Classic, many of them can be forgiven for thinking about what’s coming up. First up, was Germany’s Berliner where Freek van Weenen (skils) took his first victory of the Season which saw the Dutch veteran move up to 8th on the OCM rankings. Conrado Fraga (Gradient Levellers) took 2nd, his second result of the season. Finally, and perhaps of most interest, was the 3rd place rider, Lance Le Noir (spartak). Little was known of the French youngster before the start of the season, but with no less than five results so far this season, he is throwing down the gauntlet to those riders interested in the Best Breakthrough Rider and Best Young Rider awards.
The Berliner was preceded in the week by the Marseille – Nice, a race for the quickest and strongest of the peleton. It was another skils rider, Pauli Michielsen, who can call himself the strongest for now as he dominated the sprint in front of Jens Waesbergen (Cyklista) and Enrico Raccuzzo (Team Tirilla). The double win for the Dutch team has seen them quell Equipo Easy On’s bid for the top spot and their lead now stands at almost 400 points.
The Malmö – Landskrona Time Trial in Sweden was another race that saw a slightly surprising result as Cykilsta’s Romanian rider Emilio Sedeno claimed victory. The race, which is one of the only ones that pitches Division 1 riders against Division 2 riders, was generally dominated by the top dogs. Victory here follows up Sedeno 2nd place in the World Championships and goes some way to proving that that was no fluke. Ibrahim Youssef (CCFC) came in
| | 2nd with Verner Nyborg (Silencio) 3rd.
Golovina finds form at the Volta
Four stages have now been completed in the Division 2 Tour, the Volta au Porto, and Miron Golovina’s (G D ROPOSENSE) return to form that has been the biggest story so far. Following a 5th place in the Prologue, the Kazakhstan rider claimed Stages 2 and 4. He now leads Ethan Churchil (disco cycling) by 31 points in the Sprinting competition, a lead that makes him a massive favourite for the Green Jersey. It’s a remarkable comeback after a disappointing Season 12 for the Young Gun and clearly riding in his team’s home Tour has been enough motivation.
In the General Classification, Herbert Andersson (mypa) leads Knut Pave (Team Wells) by 10 seconds with teammate Rudi Thecle in 3rd. With the main mountains stages still to come, notably tomorrow’s King Stage into Penamacor, there are likely to be big movements in the GC. Andersson and Pave are likely to be competing for the Yellow Jersey, but other notable contenders looking to make an impression will be Ian Defley (Dodge), Ramiro Monteros (Team Dinmore) and Pomeroy de Rouvres (Luveaucek).
And finally....
....there has much discussion in the OCM community about the best result ever. cavicchi42, the American Division 7 outfit, put in their claim this week by finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th 6th, 8th and 9th in the same race – the Bourke TT. Certainly an impressive race but is it the best? Last season, skils came 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a Division 1 race which may would consider a more impressive achievement. Though, if one goes back a few seasons, TEAM Pablo Ibañez claimed 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th in another Division 1 race, the Verona-Bolzano. With the higher calibre of teams these days, it seems inconceivable that this could be repeated. Or does it?
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