This year may be written down in the history book since it is the first time that the race will not cover the original one hundred and fifteen-mile distance.

The Northern Highway, the region belies the notion that it is entirely flat. It is where the sprinters have a field day refining their craft. With no major obstacles, only the riders with lesser physical abilities will suffer. A race such as this is inclined to break up late. The late escapes can be attributed to the fact that Mother Nature presents very few or no obstacles to separate the skilled and talented from the rest. The top contenders therefore will strategize to prevent their opponents from recovering. The attacks will come when everyone is at their limit ? suggesting merely Wills and Skills.

Last year really changed the dogma of the event. A lone rider, Mateo Cruz of the SanCas cycling team, had issues. He felt disrespected by people close to him. This is a rider that was stoned by his fans after finishing third in the 2004 Cross Country. That motivated him to the point where he wanted to disprove his critics. He launched an attack five miles into the race along with two Guatemalan invitees. He built a lead that the peloton did not recover from. That initiative propelled him to Victory Lane.

The defending champion is usually at his best. It is my view that this rider does not have natural talents that seem to give him an edge. Even his decisiveness comes into question. But what he lacks in natural attributes, he makes up for with hard work. He almost certainly is one of the riders, if not the only rider, who puts over twenty-five thousand miles on his bicycle.

This time of year the Association continues to tinker around with the idea to have continuous participation from a great segment of their cycling population. After all, it is around this time of year the international racing calendar is at its peak.

The competition is expected to come from Michael Lewis. Since the opening of this year?s racing calendar, The Champion has reinvented himself to days of old. The Guy is simply performing up there and above.

The rivalry of the two most organized teams will prevail. SanCas/Santino?s versus Guinness Seahawks, and vice versa, will continue to occupy the peloton. This is not to say that a dark horse will not emerge from time to time. The two team managers exchange pleasantries towards each other, but under this lies grimace and contortion.