UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s Jake Keough wins 2011 Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium

Charlotte, NC – The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s Jake Keough delivered another podium topping performance tonight in Charlotte, North Carolina, rocketing to a first place finish in the 2011 Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium.

Keough, who finished second in last year’s race, was determined to land the top spot on the podium tonight and the lightning fast sprinter from Sandwich, Massachusetts would not be denied. Racing on the 1.3-mile spectator-friendly course composing tonight’s 80km/50mile twilight criterium through the streets of center city Charlotte, Keough’s effort was enough to top second-place finisher and last year’s winner, Jonathan Cantwell (Fly V Australia) and Argentina’s Alejandro Borrajo (Jamis-Sutter Home), who took third place.

Reflecting on his win tonight, Keough said, “The group of guys we have on this Team is simply awesome. The Team rode great tonight and we really earned this win as it was fast and hot out there. Whenever we have the opportunity to get on the podium, we go all out for each other. We were able to ride the front and the guys delivered a great lead out, putting me in a position to sprint for the win. As hard as they worked, there was no way I was going to let them down.”

Keough continued, “Hats off to Jonathan (Cantwell) and Alejandro (Borrajo), too. Those guys did a tremendous job and their teams worked hard to get them on the podium. And the organizers of the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium put together another fantastic race. It’s a lot of fun racing here in Charlotte against these teams.”

General Manager and Directeur Sportif, Mike Tamayo, commented, “The boys really executed well tonight and have the sprinting down. They had taken a bit of a break from criterium racing since the Nature Valley Grand Prix and most of the core group just got back from China where Jake and Robert (Förster) landed on the podium a few times at the Tour of Qinghai Lake. So, to win a great race like the Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium here in Charlotte and with $50,000 in prize money on the line, was a huge lift for the Team.”

Tamayo continued, “As an organization, we’re really proud of everyone’s effort and performance. This was Hilton Clarke’s first race back since his shoulder separation in Minnesota at the Nature Valley Grand Prix and he did a great job tonight with the lead out. The entire Team raced well and we’re looking forward to seeing them execute at the upcoming Tour of Elk Grove, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge all scheduled for August.”

Team Roster for the 2011 Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium:
Jonny Clarke (AUS)
Karl Menzies (AUS)
Hilton Clarke (AUS)
Jake Keough (USA)
Adrian Hegyvary (USA)
Andrew Pinfold (CAN)
Davide Frattini (ITA)