Kelly Benefit has home field advantage in Elk Grove

By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor

The Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team is prepared for this weekend's 'cash-terium' races at the Tour of Elk Grove, hoping that two riders returning from injuries will finally put them on the top step of the podium in a major race. Reid Mumford, who trained and raced in the area before becoming a professional, is back after being sidelined with a fractured tibial plateau from a run-in with a motor vehicle. Mumford used the Superweek races to build up his speed for the August criterium season. Also returning is veteran sprinter Dave McCook, back from a broken hand.

Canadian Keven Lacombe, a recent addition to the team after the Canadian nationals, will also be called on to bring a performance after finishing second on a stage at the Tour de 'Toona two weeks ago.

"We're really starting to hit our mark as a team," says performance director, Jonas Carney. "It's great to have Reid back after his injury earlier this season and to see him race on his home ground. Lacombe put in a tremendous performance in Altoona and the rest of our guys are putting it all out on the road now. We're excited to see how the line-up works in Elk Grove and then move on to the USPRO Criterium Championships in Downer's Grove next week.