"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Sponsorship?

If anyone is looking for sponsorship, I got an email from Active.com today with a link to the following info. The site seems to be reputable. Ed Burke was affiliated with them before his death.

http://www.theasmg.com/sponsorships/


Calling all runners, cyclists, triathletes and adventure racers... do you have what it takes to be a sponsored athlete? If so, we're excited to announce that the Active Sports Marketing Group is NOW RECRUITING 750 athletes for our 2003 elite athlete teams.

Who Makes the Cut?
ASMG is looking for top age-group or overall performers who will compete in a minimum of six events in the U.S. next year. We're looking for high-energy, positive brand ambassadors who will actively promote our sponsors' products? We want athletes who are positive role models in their communities and who work hard to promote their sport and inspire fellow athletes. If you feel you're a top candidate for our sponsored athlete teams, we want YOU!

_
Year supply of sponsor's product
Cash payments for generating brand exposure
Complimentary sponsor-branded sports apparel
Free Active Advantage Membership
Exclusive product offers and possibilities to test new sports equipment
_
Wear/use product during training and competition
Positively promote sponsor products to the world
Strive to generate exposure for sponsor's brand
Application deadline is Feb 15, 2003.

Note: Our sponsored athlete application is detailed you must complete your online application within 10 minutes. We recommend your print out the application first, prepare your answers and when you are ready proceed through the online form.

All athletes will be notified of their sponsorship status by March 15, 2003.

I don't understand this. Who exactly is the sponsor, and what exactly are you recieving? This just seemed so unclear to me. 10 minute limit for filling stuff out? Why? I don't get it.

If any of the cyclists on this board are interested in getting sponsored, then take a tip from me, and simply write up a brief resume of your wins (and podiums if they're BIG events), a letter requesting what it is that you want, the races / your plan that you will do for the coming season.

I won't go into all of my sponsors, but this method is simple, the contact is direct, and it's worked for me multiple times (in five requests, I've only been turned down twice).

- Maurizio

10 minute time limit online so you don't tie up their server or something (I'm guessing). But the very next sentence says print it out and fill it in at your leisure so it's not a big deal.
It doesn't seem unreasonable and will probably be good for some that need sponsorship.

It seems the site is simply a place where you post your stuff and they choose a number of people to participate in some events.

Different! Now they will get to deal with all the lies and nonsense people will tend to post there.

But a way to attract people that would never be attracted.

Only try if you are really serious.

Also in the past I seen sites where you post your stuff like a job hunting site for riders to attract teams. Now those sites really where useless. Far too many people post 'lies' and such. I found out as I was contacted out of the blue from riders. No thanks.

Teams want to actually see the riders and see how they are and perform.