Sorry for the long delay between updates, but it's taken a while for me to be able to get access to the internet etc. After moving up to the UK at the end of March it has been pretty much non stop. It's been a hard road, but this is truly what I want to do, and I am slowly getting to grips with the tracks and way of life up here. I moved in with the family of my pit crew, and they have been so great to me. It's made the transition a lot easier.

It is so different from racing in the US. I was coming from knowing every track that I rode on (all half a dozen of them) to every race night being a new track, and totally different experience. The fans and supporters over here have on the whole been great. Each week I have been improving, and I have included a copy of the video of my first win as a Coventry Elite League rider. You can be assured I had a smile from ear to ear after crossing the finish line.

I also competed in the Under 21 World Qualifiers, representing the US, a couple of weeks ago. That was a really tough field, with the top 4 under 21 riders from the UK along with Australians top prospects and many European top shots. Out of 18 riders, the top 6 make it through to the next round, which is the semi finals. I ended up tied for 6th place after the meeting, so this ended up in a run off with me and two other riders vying for the last spot. I guess I wanted it more than them, as I made the start and ended up winning the run off. I was pretty stoked at that, as I was up against a fast Aussie and Polish guy, and the Aussie had beaten me in the race before. Anyway, I'm waiting to find out whether my semi will be in Hungary or Sweden next month.

I will be returning to the US for the first round of the US Nationals in a couple of weeks time, and I'm looking forward to that. Even though my race schedule for Coventry means I have to race in the UK Friday night, fly out to California Saturday morning. Get here Saturday afternoon, race Saturday night, fly back to the UK Sunday to arrive there Monday and race there Monday night. So you might have to excuse me if I don't get the chance to call in and say hi!!! I will be back again in July, and hopefully will have an extra couple of days to stay that time.

I'm having fun working towards my ultimate goal of one day becoming World Champion. I know it's a hard road, but each day, each race I am working towards that. I forget sometimes that I'm only 17 and have plenty of years in this sport...but of course we all get impatient.

Enjoy the video, I wish you could see the smile on my face. Thanks for your support and I will try and get some good pictures to you.

Regards
Ricky Wells