- HOT TOPICS:
- The new VeloNews.com (BETA)
Press Release - Kelly Benefit Strategies releases '07 roster
National Champions Sign to 2007 Roster for Kelly Benefit StrategiesPro Cycling Team
New Co-Title Sponsor Announced; Team Name Change
Minneapolis, Min., December 15, 2006 – The Kelly Benefit Strategiespro cycling team, one of the newest pro teams on the national racing circuit,today announces finalization of the 2007 roster – including two marqueeformer pro national champions – and the name-changing addition of a co-titlesponsor.Maryland-based Medifast, the country’s leading manufacturer of clinicallyproven meal replacement programs, joins Kelly Benefit Strategies as co-titlesponsor creating the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast Pro Cycling Team.The addition gives the team the financial backing of two of the leadingcompanies in corporate and personal health and wellness today.The team also announces the final 2007 roster, a lineup of seasonedsprinters, climbers and rising young talent. Athletes headlining the rosterinclude Dave McCook of the United States and Canadian national DominiquePerras who joins the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team along withformer team-mate and fellow Quebec resident Martin Gilbert.McCook, former USPRO Criterium Champion has dominated sprinting in theUnited States for the past fifteen years and brings guaranteed finishingexpertise to the team. Perras, a former Canadian National Road Race Champion,has been a member of the Canadian national team since 1992, a professionalsince 1999 and a proven leader when it comes to climbing. He has participatedin four UCI Pro World Championships.“The addition of McCook and Perras has added road-tested strength, abilityand experience to an already strong line up,” says Jonas Carney, PerformanceDirector for the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team. “If it comes toa bunch sprint or the need to lead in the mountains, we have guys who candefinitely get that done and bring the younger riders with them. That’scrucial for a new team off the start line.”The team has the full backing, support and involvement of Kelly BenefitStrategies and Medifast. Bicycle, equipment and other partnerships areall in the final stages of negotiation and will be announced ahead of theseason start.“We’re excited to partner with an organization like Kelly Benefit Strategies,”says Michael McDevitt, CEO, Medifast, Inc. “They’re specialists in healthcareand leaders in the world of employee benefits. Medifast is in the businessof helping people take charge of their nutritional health goals, and ona larger scale, increasing the understanding of the importance of healthand wellness. This is a natural fit for everyone.”“We’re going to see some terrific things out of this team – we’re sureof that,” says John Kelly, President, Kelly Benefit Strategies. “Our firstpriority has always been to attract and retain great athletes because webelieve in putting the guys first. The addition of a partner like Medifastthat knows and really understands nutrition is only going to help us lookafter our team and keep them performing at their best throughout the season.”The team is managed and operated by Minneapolis-based Circuit GlobalSports Management (CGSM).
2007 Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast RosterDan Bowman (USA) Kevin Bouchard-Hall (USA)Martin Gilbert (CAN) Mark Hinnen (CAN)Dave McCook (USA) Reid Mumford (USA)Dominique Perras (CAN) Ryan Roth (CAN)Justin Spinelli (USA) Johnny Sundt (USA)Nick Waite (USA)
About Medifast (www.medifastdiet.com) Medifast (NYSE: MED) is the leadingeasy-to-use, clinically proven meal replacement program. Medifasthas been recommended by thousands of physicians and used by over one millioncustomers. Its programs have been proven effective through studiesby researchers from major university teaching hospitals. The companysells its products and programs direct to consumer via the web and nationalcall centers as well as through its national network of physicians andclinics, and Take Shape for Life program. Medifast was incorporatedin 1980 and is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland.About Kelly Benefit Strategies (KBS) (www.kellybenefitstrategies.com)is a group insurance broker and consultant that specialize in healthcare,and is a division of Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc, headquarteredin Hunt Valley, Maryland. KBS serves thousands of employers ranging insize from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies and is committed tobringing its customers affordable group benefits through innovative benefitdesign, management, and administration.About Circuit Global Sports Management (www.circuitsport.com) Minneapolis-basedCGSM facilitates strategic alliances between corporate partners and professionalcycling initiatives. Previous high-profile clients include Cadillac, RedBull, Panasonic, DKNY, Dollar Rent a Car, Jeep, Timberland, and the Stateof Minnesota.
