KBS / Medifast heads to France for pair of races

The Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast pro cycling team is heading to France this weekend to tackle two UCI stage races and continue building the squad's international racing program started last year. The races, both ranked UCI 2.2, include Kreiz Breizh Elites in Brittany, on July 26-28 and Le Tour des Pyrenees on August 5-10.

The Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast first raced internationally last year at the FBD Insurance Ras in Ireland and the Vuelta a Chihuahua in Mexico. The roster for both upcoming races includes Justin Spinelli, who raced solo a couple of weeks ago at the Fitchburg Classic and still took overall second place on the GC, plus Jonny Sundt, Nick Waite, Dan Bowman and Andrew Bajadali.

"The team is very excited for these two great events in France," said performance director, Jonas Carney. "Spinelli, Baj and Bowman have been climbing really well all season so we're looking forward to seeing how they fare against some really strong European racers. It will be a great way to prepare for the difficult races at the end of the US schedule."

"We are beginning to work hard at building our international schedule," said Carney. "This year we will do these two events in France, return to Chihuahua in the fall, and finish our season with one more trip to France. It's our full intention and plan to use this experience to then expand our international schedule even further in 2009."

Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast for Kreiz Breizh Elites & Tour des Pyrenees: Andrew Bajadali, Dan Bowman, Justin Spinelli, Jonny Sundt, Nick Waite.