(written by Finz of Royals)
Tomorrow, Syracuse, an ancient city on the Southern tip of Sicily, welcomes twenty top Division 5 teams for their seasonal Classic. Twenty teams that have their eye on the Archimedes trophy, which is given to the winner of this, the only Classic of Division 5. Success will ensure fame and adulation from the people of Syracuse, who have always been crazy about their cycling.
The third episode of this great race will pass numerous classical landmarks, and ends, most likely, in a mass sprint where the toughest sprinter will win. This victory will lift a giant, glass bowl, the Archimedes trophy, in honour of the Greek mathematician and inventor who hailed from this area. The course itself leads inland from the starting point in the harbour and ancient centre, passing some illustrious sites, well-known since the Corinthians colonized this city in the 8th century. Tomorrow, the town will be the centre of the Island’s attention, as it was 2500 years ago. Every Sicilian will be out to watch this season’s edition of the race.
Four teams from the Netherlands will be in attendance in the place where their legendary Admiral Michiel de Ruyter was killed in battle. Maaslander, Royals, HAE Cycling team and Sterk Cycling Team have their top riders lining up. Sebastian Siepe, Per Hammarström, Suhayl | | Najib and Koenraad Dussel are the captains of those four teams. Koenraad Dussle of Sterk Cycling team is probably best placed to do well from those four.
The top ten favourites all come from different teams, which means that the other ten teams must hope for a bad day for one these sprinters, or will be eyeing up a breakaway. As always there are riders entered that will stand out from the crowd and are aiming for this season’s trophy. One of these is the Brazilian sprinter Antonio Eller from the American squad lastplace1414. His brief statement to the press today made it quite clear what his goal is this weekend, "I will lift that trophy, and I will be finishing solo." Big words from a big sprinter, who will win the biggest race of his career if he delivers.
His main rivals will come from different parts of the world. Ramles Mohd Sazlee (santau) travels all the way from Malaysia to compete against Eller. After being told of Eller’s statement he was similarly outspoken, "I have not come to Italy from the other side of the world to finish second." Already we have a stand off, which will hopefully deliver something exciting at the finish.
The bookies’ favourite for the race, however, is sprinter Macario Arruti. This has surprised many spectators and pundits as the Mexican has never scored a point in OCM, let alone a podium position. However, there has been heavy betting on the 27 year-old over the past few days which suggests that some punters know something we don’t. Will
| | the Mexican be giving a victory wave to spectators at the end or will he start the next race pointless as well?
Other names that are likely to figure in the final sprint tomorrow are Nataniel Lima (Trinity), Erwin Traster (Team Pinarello), Koenraad Dussel (Sterk Cycling Team) and Louis-Philippe Selleslags (Royals).
A winner is likely to come from the riders already mentioned but there will always be some dark horses that can surprise us. Suhayl Najib (HAE Cycling Team) is one of them. The 24 year old sprinter from Syria certainly has the bike-handling skills to surprise Eller and the other favourites. Najib, the Syrian of few words, merely gave a brief nod when we asked him whether he had a chance.
Whilst there are some hills early in the race near the town of Floridia, these hills will probably be too early in the race to make a difference. But there will always be the daredevils that will try to make a difference there.
The town is buzzing with excitement and cannot wait to see what happens. Via Elorina will deliver the Sicilian champion to Syracuse and the whole town is watching. They will celebrate his victory, will cheer his name, like they did to the gladiators in the arena, for winning their most important race in their own town. When the present day gladiators have left the podium, the focus will be shifted to the next most important thing – getting the best spot at Gelateria Fiordilatte. After all, cycling is fun, but ice-cream is important.
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