(written by Eric of trackstah07)
  
   Stage by Stage Preview
  
  Tomorrow is an important day for the OCM history books. For the first time, Division 3 teams will be competing in a Tour, Switzerland's very own Monte Rosa Tour. The new Tour is a reflection of the growing strength in depth of OCM - Division 3 is now as strong as Division 2 was a few Seasons back. As the managers and riders make their last minute preparations, here is a quick summary of the five stages.
  
   Stage 1: Bern Prologue
  
  The inaugural Monte Rosa Tour begins in the city of Bern, with the 7 km Bern Prologue. Founded in 1191, Bern has been the capital of Switzerland since 1848. The city is home to the Swiss Super League’s BSC Young Boys, and roughly 80% of the city’s 125,000 citizens speak German. The Prologue will be a ‘time trial for the sprinters’; a tight, technical course that would be completely flat if not for a couple intermediate hills. Look for Young Guns Vasco Assis (redop) and Lean Ahnfeldt-Mollerup (ABK) to contest for the victory, as well as Pierre Nieuwendijk (deadalus) who finished 15th in the Porto Prologue at Volta ao Porto two season ago.
  
   Stage 2: Bern - Lausanne
  
  The second

stage of the tour takes the peloton from Bern, on a hilly 145km journey through Fribourg, into the heart of Romandy to the city of Lausanne. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, Lausanne has served as home for Peter Carl Fabergé and Coco Chanel. It appears that Stage 2 will be a stage for the puncheurs. Perhaps a large breakaway will give it a go, looking to gain an advantage heading into the mountains. Inocente Castaneda (Cuevas team), fresh off a Lyon GP victory, will look to feast on the similar profile of Stage 2.
  
   Stage 3: Lausanne - Monte Rosa
  
  From Lausanne, the Tour heads up towards the summit of its namesake: Monte Rosa. The 156 km stage is sure to be quite grueling. With an elevation of 4,634 meters, Monte Rosa is the tallest mountain in the Swiss Alps and the second highest mountain in all of Western Europe. Winston Churchill notably ascended the mountain in 1894, at the tender age of 20; but Churchill had tour guides, and he wasn’t on a bike. Only the toughest climbers will be able to survive the steep final climb up into the frigid air of the snow-lined roads to the Monte Rosa Hut. Guus Holst (Flappende Fietsers) will go for his third win of the season following standout performances at Climbs of Omeo and Piechowice - Karpaz G3.
  
   Stage 4: Lugano - St. Moritz
  
  The race crosses

over to the eastern part of Switzerland for Stage 4: Lugano - St. Moritz. Lugano is a celebrity tourist hotspot, nicknamed the “Monte Carlo of Switzerland.” The city’s population is Italian-speaking and predominantly Roman Catholic. The latter of the two towns, named after Saint Maurice, has a rich sporting history; St. Moritz has been host to over 20 World Bobsled Championships, as well as the 1928 and 1948 Winter Olympics. Almost 40% of St. Moritz’s population is made up of foreign nationals. The 149 km route from Lugano will take the riders up and down several Alpine climbs, including Piz Bernina. Several riders have stated that they believe Piz Bernina will be more difficult than Monte Rosa because it comes after Monte Rosa. GC favorite Bazyli Ambroziak (Pink Piyama) is expected to challenge for the overall victory on the final climb.
  
   Stage 5: Genève - Genève
  
  The Tour will conclude in historic Geneva, city of diplomacy and global finance, perhaps most famous for the Geneva Conventions. The city can be traced back in history to the second century B.C. The final stage of the Monte Rosa Tour will take the peloton on a 134 km down-and-back trip along the beautiful southern coast of Lake Geneva. With only one uncategorized climb early in the day, it will most certainly be a stage for the sprinters. Assis, Mollerup, and Nieuwendijk will challenge Ejvind Nørregaard for victory on the moderately technical final sprint.