October 16/07 7:18 am - David Veilleux Signs to Kelly Benefits Strategies/Medifast

Posted by Editor on 10/16/07
 

David Veilleux Signs to Kelly Benefits Strategies/Medifast

Release courtesy Kelly Benefits Strategies/Medifast

2008 is going to be a fast year for the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast pro cycling team. With the addition of Canadian David Veilleux, announced today, Jonas Carney's sophomore squad, when it returns next season, will feature the reigning U23 and junior national time trial champions from both Canada and the United States (respectively). Veilleux joins Ben King, 18, current junior national champion in both time trial and road race in the United States.

"David is not well known on the NRC circuit yet, but I've been watching his results for some time and have wanted him in our program since its inception," says Jonas Carney, performance director. "We have a long range plan for the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast program. Part of that plan is to bring the most talented young athletes into our program early and give them the best possible training and racing environment and teammates. Bringing on riders like David Veilleux and Ben King ensures the long-term success of what we're trying to do here."

Veilleux has been a member of the Canadian national team at the world championships for three years running and in 2006 was both time trial and road race U23 Canadian Champion. The year before in 2005, he took first place overall GC in the Tour de l'Abitibi.

"I know the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team will suit me well because there is such a good mix of young and more experienced riders," says Veilleux. "Next year the race calendar will be very interesting with more international races. I'm also looking forward to participating in more important UCI races in the US and I think that even at my young age I can maybe bring something more to an already excellent team."

"We're not just about winning races," says John Kelly, title sponsor and president, Kelly Benefit Strategies. "We're dedicated to helping young athletes realize their potential and make a real impact in the incredibly difficult and personally challenging sport of competitive cycling. David is going to be a fantastic - and fast - addition to our lineup next year."

Also new to the 2008 roster are Andrew Bajadali and Alex Candelario plus new sponsor Bioforce Inc., makers of MyoMed who recently joined the team at Interbike in Las Vegas. Athletes on next season's squad will get the opportunity to add Bioforce's all-natural, non-toxic pain management product MyoMed into their individual training programs. The MyoMed logo will be placed on all team uniforms and vehicles for the '08 season.