Hi, I'm Ben Ricketts , a young wannabe directeur sportif from Northern England. I've always wanted to run a Cycling Team, and I'll do anything to make it happen. For now though, I'm reduced to shouting at the TV and cycling in the Yorkshire Dales. Sometime, I believe that my chance will come.
Anyway, I'm off on Holiday for a week now. I'm ready to setup my Team, but I need a sponsor. Let's see what happens.
I better finish packing, If I don't come back, I'm probably in a Jail Cell somewhere, due to my inability to keep my mouth shut in front of Customs.
Right, I'm off. See you soon!
Ben Ricketts
PS: Remind me to turn the computer off - otherwise I'll lose a fortune.
Edited by jph27 on 30-07-2010 13:35
I'm back. What a disaster that was. Firstly, my Luggage got stuck in the check in point. Now normally this wouldn't be too big an issue, but it meant that I missed my flight, then was told that I would have to pay for another one.
I don't think I exactly covered myself in Glory with my Rant against the staff, but it sure felt good.
Anyway, I'm back now. It's snowing outside, and I was supposed to be in Dubai, sitting on a beach.
I've already written my letter of complaint and sent it off to the airline. Can't they make a decent size hole on the conveyor?
Now. back to the cycling team. I need sponsors, but most companies in the UK see Cycling as a waste of time. I'm not giving up though, because I have a plan.
I'm going to target companies who have rivals who sponsor Cycling Teams. Hopefully, this will work.
Firstly, the Bad news. After my rant at the airport, I was invited down to London, to the Airline's British head office. I was expecting a lawsuit, but then something weird happened.
I was told I couldn't have my money back, but that there was a job opportunity if I behaved myself. The man at the airport had told his boss about my rant, and he seemed to have taken an interest.
What job do you want doing? I asked him.
Then, here comes the good news. He told me the airline were launching a Cycling Team and they wanted me as the DS. Now, I thought they were joking, but they assured me it was true.
Now, the Airline's name is....
Spoiler
Emirates
I'll be back soon, but I have equipment to sort out.
I'm going to Switzerland for a week, then I'm at my Dad's for 2 weeks, so you probably won't hear from me until then. The story will be alive when I get home.
Ok, I've found my 10 Emirati's, and to be honest, they don't seem that good.
However, I think I have found a talent.
Yousif Mirza Banihammad, is the pick of the bunch,(I hope)he's the UAE National champion, and finished Top 10 in the Asian Championships, and he's only 21.
The other riders, including his 2 brothers, seem OK, but not brilliant.
I'll tell you about my plans for the Americans next time.
