OCM managers are busy people. However, most still find the time to write press releases in magazines and on team websites to inform their loyal fans of team news and views. This week, we feature two articles written by OCM managers. Today's article is written by Brian Place of lastplace1414, an American team from Division 4 who has been rising quickly through the OCM rankings, about the chance acquisition of a new talent.
  
  (written by Brian Place of lastplace1414)
  
  Following his 7th-place finish in Erdek, Turkey, Gregory Petrov made a semi-routine trip to his home in Khujand, the capital of the Sughd Province and the second largest city in Tajikistan. Looking for a challenge, Petrov and his brother drove to Inskanderkul, a lake in the Fann Mountains. As fate would have it, there they met Lavrentiy Nikulina, a perfect stranger with professional cycling aspirations.
  
  The three began a casual ride around the triangular lake,

and by the end Nikulina had a couple of new friends. They made a quick bike change and ventured onto some rougher terrain. Petrov told us it was then that he realized Nikulina may have a future in American cycling: "Lavrentiy looked pretty comfortable off-road. He said he'd never ridden a mountain bike, but it sure didn't look that way! We gradually increased our pace and he was very comfortable taking risks and going fast. There were a few times that I was a little scared for him, but maybe I was more scared for myself!"
  
  Petrov suggested the idea of coming to America and Nikulina was open to travelling "to the end of the world" to be a professional cyclist. Petrov immediately called Brian Place, who arranged for the duo to meet with Kane Zaloga at Heathrow Airport in London. Zaloga told Place, "He's a friendly chap. If Gregory's right about his personality, he's probably right about his ability too. I know he's not a professional scout, but he's a professional cyclist. That's not too far

off."
  
  Place says the decision was a no-brainer: "After talking to Kane, we knew it was right. It's exciting for us to have another rider from the great country of Tajikistan. We have been very happy with Gregory, who is both a great rider and a great young man. Trusting in his judgment, we were sure that Lavrentiy Nikulina will be just as great an asset to our team."
  
  Nikulina (with Petrov as his translator) told us, "I am very excited to be in America. I have traveled far to come here and I will make the most of this opportunity."
  
  When the plane arrived, Nikulina and Petrov were greeted by the national anthem of Tajikistan played on YouTube on Gideon Sanford's laptop.
  
  "If what Gregory told me is correct, Nikulina may end up our cobbling captain. Any guy who likes to push the limit of rough terrain and doesn't mind the risk of severe injury... he has the cobbling gene!" said Brian Place.