Back for its second season, the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast pro cycling team will again challenge on the North American circuit. Last year's racers return along with five new athletes to strengthen the team's spring and GC talents.
Former Jelly Belly team-mates Alex Candelario and Andrew Bajadali come to the team together. Top sprinter Cadelario is the 2007 winner of the Tour de Nez while climber Bajadali won the 2007 Redlands Classic and the Tri Peaks Challenge. Also new to the roster are Ben King, the US Junior National Road Race and Time Trial Champion and David Veilleux, three-time Canadian U23 champion and the 2005 winner of the Tour de L'Abitibi. Rounding out the new additions is Brian Buchholz, a time trialists who is turning pro after only three seasons of racing.
"I'm extremely exited about our roster for the upcoming season," said performance director, Jonas Carney. "In 2007 we demonstrated that with great teamwork we could take on some of the biggest teams in North America. 2008 is all about building on that momentum, so it was important to return with the majority of our team intact plus some strategic new additions."
"Our sprinting core will be stronger with the addition of Candelario, and Bajadali will improve our overall GC threat. All of our athletes who suffered injuries in 2007 have a full, clean bill of health for the new season and will be coming back stronger and faster than ever. Plus we've added three powerful all-rounders in so we're excited to see what they’re capable of doing, especially in the time trials."
Dan Bowman, Martin Gilbert, Keven Lacombe, Jonny Sundt, Nick Waite, Justin Spinelli, Reid Mumford and Mark Hinnen will all return for 2008. Waite, Spinelli, Mumford, and Hinnen are back on track after injuries.
"We are focused on building the best team in the United States," said John Kelly, title sponsor and president of Kelly Benefit Strategies. "We've taken a giant stride toward that goal in just our first season. But we're not here to buy results or rush things. 2008 will be about looking after our guys first and foremost, making sure they have the environment, equipment and support to race at their best – and then about watching them win."
Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast Pro Cycling Team for 2008: Andrew Bajadali, Dan Bowman, Brian Buchholz, Alex Candelario, Martin Gilbert, Mark Hinnen, Ben King, Keven Lacombe, Reid Mumford, Justin Spinelli, Jonny Sundt, David Veilleux, Nick Waite
