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Report filed by Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast Pro Cycling

Tough European competition and some of the same fierce climbs used by the Tour de France did not slow down the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team as the program’s efforts to rack up European race experience brings podium placements home this week. Andrew Bajadali, one of the squad’s strongest climbers, took the green points jersey and second overall in the general classification.

Over the four-stage race, the team raced more than 600 km through some of the toughest climbs of the Pyrenees including a 147 km opening stage from Tarbes to Loudervillle, 168 km from St. Laurent de Neste to Val D’Azun which ended in a cat one climb and a 154 km route in stage three that saw the race cross the border into Spain.

“It was great to see Baj have a chance to really show what he’s capable of on some of these big European climbs,” says Jonas Carney, performance director, Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast. “He was amazing on the big climbs through the Pyrenees and our whole squad rode incredibly strong to support him.”

How the Race Unfolded:

Stage #1: Bajadali was part of a three-man break over the Col d’Aspin. Despite being unable to catch the lead rider, he out sprinted his breakaway partners and took second on the stage, just five seconds down on the stage winner.

Stage#2: The whole KBS/M team took the front with teammate Justin Spinelli leading 50 of the total 168 km ride to Val D’Azun. Spinelli delivered the team to the category one Col du Solour climb where Dan Bowman and Nick Waite took the pace, keeping it high and helping Bajadali finish eleventh on the stage. Unfortunately Bajadali lost one spot on the overall classification slipping into third.

Stage #3: The race crossed into Spain where Dan Bowman went on the offensive, making a break that stayed away over the Hors Category Col Somport and lasted 100 km. The break was caught on the cat one San Juan de la Pena climb where Bajadali was unable to escape. Instead, 30 km out, he attacked on the descent, gaining 30 seconds to move back into second place on the overall classification with a points lead and a third place stage finish.

Stage #4: In the final and fourth stage from Almudevar to Zaragoza, Jonny Sundt jumped early and kept the break away strong until the finish, ensuring Bajadali retained his overall points classification. Sundt finished sixth on the stage.

“This was a great experience for us to come to Europe and race so competitively,” adds Carney. “We’ve made it clear, our program is built to race well domestically in the United States and compete increasingly on the international level. It’s a natural team progression for us and the best way for our athletes to grow and develop. It also gives us phenomenal momentum, as we head into the USPRO Criterium, USPRO Road Race, and The USPRO Time Trial.”

For additional information regarding the Team, please visit Circuit Global Sport Management www.circuitsport.com