Golden Ticket Winner

We received many entries in our competition. A few were truly inspired, a number were good, a few were pleading and some others were quite desperate. The most imaginative and entertaining story came from Duncan Sheppard from Dad's Army and their penmanship has earned them a Golden Ticket entry into the Mont. Their story is below. Of course, we look forward to seeing Duncan and his men turning out laps in full military uniform and quoting one liners from the TV Show as they pass through transition.

The runner up entry came from Ron Brent with 'The Excuse from Snowy River', which had us smiling throughout, though in need of a nap at the end. They also receive a Golden Ticket entry for their efforts.

Thank you to all who entered.

Alan
Mont 24 Team

THE WINNING ENTRY

The Canberra Times - International heavyweights rally around �Dad�s Army�

World leaders, sportspeople and entertainers have all paid tribute to the organisers of the Mont 24 race who have included �Dad�s Army� in the 2010 race at Sparrow Hill.

It comes less than 24 hours after event organiser, Alan Vogt, told a packed press conference at Sparrow Hill that the �Golden Ticket� had been awarded to the promising six-man team from Canberra.

�As organisers, we simply couldn�t ignore the groundswell of international support for �Dad�s Army� to Ride the Bird,� Vogt said.

Speaking from America, President Barack Obama congratulated the Mont 24 Team.

�When �Dad�s Army� told me they couldn�t get a ride in next year�s race, my reaction was simple � �Yes We Can�. On behalf of the people of America, I salute the Mont 24 organising committee for their excellent judgment, and the faith they have shown in these fine young men from Canberra.�

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also weighed into the debate.

�2009 will not be remembered for climate change, the GFC or asylum seekers. Quite simply, it will be remembered as the year Mont 24 took the bold step to award �Dad�s Army� the Golden Ticket to Ride the Bird.�

Breaking from his training schedule in France, Australian cyclist, Cadel Evans also praised the Mont24 team.

�If I had �Dad�s Army� racing with me over the last two years in the Tour de France instead of those dickheads from Astana, I�d have two yellow jerseys in my cupboard instead of none. These guys are winners. Mont 24 has made the right decision.�

American singer Britney Spears broke from her Australian tour to add her voice (lip-synched) to the controversy.

�I don�t know much about racing, but I know one thing. These boys are hot. Period. In fact, I promise to come to Canberra next year to see them go around Sparrow Hill in their lycra.

The biggest endorsement for the boys to Ride the Bird has come from none other than God.

�I try not to get involved in disputes like this, but when I heard �Dad�s Army� might miss out I went absolutely mental. My threat to send Vogt and his team straight to hell if they didn�t give �Dad�s Army� the golden ticket helped the organising committee see the light.�

The only opposition to �Dad�s Army� taking part in the race has come from their wives � all of whom are resisting calls for the boys to be granted leave passes for the event.

�Unofficial Spokesman for the team, Duncan �Captain Mannering� Sheppard, apologised to Mont24 for not getting their entry in on time.

�I�m sorry for not meeting the deadline, but we were busy working the phones with Kevin, Barack, Cadel, Britney and the Good Lord.�

�We may not win the race (in fact I can guarantee it) but we are desperate to Ride the Bird. And when we do, we promise to bring the same level of international attention to the race like we have over the past few days.�

Dad�s Army posing in their official race gear