Written by Emma Harrison, PR Intern at Yuri SuperTeam and reviewed by Yuri from Yuri SuperTeam
The 74th OCM Season reaffirmed the supremacy of established champions across the Top Division Tours while showcasing a handful of promising talents ready to challenge the old order. From Asia to Northern Europe, every race offered its own narrative of consistency, team control, and the occasional surprise.
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Taiwan Black Bear Tour
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The Asian opener once again revolved around Vadimas Blekevicius (Team Oasis), who secured his second career GC victory after consistent high-mountain performances. The Lithuanian’s mastery of the climbs, backed by solid time management, kept him ahead of 3-time stage winner Pierre Deuring (Odfjell Tankers). Deuring’s dominance in the hilly stages was undeniable. He captured three of the four stages and finished runner-up overall. Simon Fontaine (mapei bianchi) completed the podium, 1’28” down, highlighting mapei bianchi’s steady form early in the season.
In the youth category, Ebenezer Gardener (Bilsky) impressed with 7th in GC, marking his first Top Division distinction.
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Tweedaagse van Antwerpen
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The Belgian short tour once again proved its reputation as a race where versatility and timing matter more than raw cobble strength. Noah Costa (MOVISTAR KELME TEAM) took a career-defining GC victory, his first at this level, built on consistency and a decisive performance in the cobbled stages. Maxim Šabík (Uphill Battle) and Geir Gilje (Alpine) followed, with Gilje adding another podium to his long palmarès—he previously won the event once, confirming Alpine’s ongoing leadership in every terrain. Stage wins were widely spread, including Joselito Huertas (BGK Cycling) in the time trial and Ejnar | | Delffs (Drollevangers) on the King Stage.
Young honours went to Tomé Lages (LFC Rado team), who finished 12th overall and looks set for higher ambitions next year.
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Scottish Heritage Tour
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There was little suspense over who would rule Scotland again. Han Yongshen (mapei bianchi) claimed his fourth consecutive overall victory, cementing an OCM record for dominance in a single Tour. The Taiwanese leader won four stages, including the final hilly King stage that sealed his GC. Behind him, Eugène Chevrier (LoleursLovers) and Wada Tomoaki (Navarone Cycling Team) completed the podium. Brendan Northam (Yuri SuperTeam) added another stage win to his record, keeping his form alive.
The youth classification went to Jonas Fahlin (Rantanplan), an all-rounder who finished 6th overall and confirmed himself as one of the most complete young riders in the peloton.
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Vuelta de los Castillos
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Spain’s crown jewel once again belonged to Ferdinand Kapp (Team Oasis), who claimed his third career victory in the event after a commanding display in the mountains and time trials. He won three stages, including the King Stage, and never appeared under threat. Epke Reiling (Yuri SuperTeam) showcased his sprinting pedigree with two stage wins and the Sprint Classification title, while Georg Gabel (Alpine) and Ernst Myklebust (LFC Rado team) completed the GC podium.
The Young Classification went to Jaromír Zach (CyclingClubChomutov), finishing an impressive 5th overall, confirming another successful campaign for Czech development
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Essex Tour
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The shortest Tour of the calendar delivered one of the season’s biggest surprises: Aleksey Yozhin (Spliff cycling) took the GC victory after a daring solo effort on the Queen Stage and a solid defence in the time trial. Svaton Kubelka (Leseturs) and Kamiel Michotte (LoleursLovers) rounded out the podium. Jack Warringa (MOVISTAR KELME TEAM) topped the Young Classification, confirming the team’s multi-discipline depth.
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Germany Tour
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The final Grand Tour of the season once again saw Norwegian riders dominate, as Lars Kvalheim (Alpine) took overall victory ahead of Joost Vedder (DeRodeLantaarn) and Rodrigo Frois (Ron Cycling Team). Kvalheim’s form, already visible in the Critérium La Provence earlier this season, translated perfectly to a ten-stage test, featuring two mountain triumphs and consistency in the time trials. Vedder took both 2nd overall and the Young Classification, making him one of the favourites to win the Tour in the coming seasons.
The Sprint Jersey went to Jarl Udby (Navarone Cycling Team), who added to the team’s already successful season on multiple fronts.
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By the Numbers: S74 Tour Stats
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Most successful team: Team Oasis, with two GC victories (Blekevicius and Kapp)
Longest winning streak: Han Yongshen (mapei bianchi) – 4 consecutive Scottish Heritage Tour GCs
Most stage wins: Pierre Deuring (Odfjell Tankers) – 3 in Taiwan Black Bear Tour
Nations on GC podiums: 11 different countries
Top youth performers: Vedder (2nd in Germany GC)
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