Keough goes pro with Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast

The Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team will add another rising talent to its ranks in time for the Tour of Pennsylvania, it announced Saturday. Jake Keough, a Massachusetts native who took podium spots in the Skyscraper Harlem and Uptown Greenwood races this season will don the green and gold of the KBS/M team for the remainder of the season, leaving behind the orange of his amateur Sakonnet U25 squad.

Keough, 20, is the oldest of four siblings who excel at bike racing, including his brother Luke, who is the reigning junior cyclo-cross champion. Starting out racing BMX bikes at the age of seven, Keogh brings those BMX handling skill and years of amateur racing to the team, specializing in technical, tight criteriums and fast finish road races.

"It has always been a priority for the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team to bring the most talented young racers into our program," said Jonas Carney, the team's performance director. "As a result, we are fielding a very strong team for the Tour of Pennsylvania. David Veilleux, Keven Lacombe, and Jake Keough should be extremely dangerous in the bunch sprints and we are hoping for some stage wins."

"We are fortunate to have such a great U25 event for our young athletes," added Carney. "Over the years, pro racing in the US has become very fast and it is difficult for young racers to make the leap from amateur to pro. The Tour of PA is a great opportunity for our best young racers to test themselves against their peers in a true stage race."

Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast Tour of Pennsylvania Roster: Mark Hinnen, Jake Keough, Ben King, Keven Lacombe, Clay Murfet, David Veilleux (CAN)