April 30, 2010, Spartanburg, SC – The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis had been knocking on the door all week at the USA Crits Speed Week after Karl Menzies opened the series with the win in Athens last Saturday.

The team followed that win with Andrew Pinfold’s 2nd place in Roswell Sunday, then Pinfold’s 3rd place at the Beaufort Memorial Criterium Tuesday, and Menzies 2nd at Walterboro Wednesday.

Always close to the podium was Jake Keough, and today, the young sprinter finally broke through, taking the win in Spartanburg, with Pinfold posting 3rd place, and Menzies just off the podium in 4th.

“After being so close the last few races, this win was sweet,” Keough said. “We’re racing consistently well, and it's good to finally get back on the top step.”

Keough noted that the race was aggressive from the start, with attacks going practically from the gun.

“I got in a few moves early and all the guys were covering,” he said.

But it was a late move by Jonny Clarke of UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis that truly set up the win. The Australian attacked solo with eight laps to go and put the pressure on the OUCH-Bahati team of Speed Week series leader Hilton Clarke. More importantly, it also gave Keough, Pinfold and Menzies a free ride going into the final laps.

Clarke held the chase at bay for five laps before finally getting caught with three laps to go. With one to go, UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis assumed control of the front of the race, with Keough lined up behind Pinfold and Menzies.

“Coming into the final turns, Hilton was able to slip between me and Pinner,” Keough said. “I came off of Hilton’s wheel in the sprint and was able to get around him at the line.”

Notes
UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis’ came into Spartanburg with a solid 399 point lead over Team Type 1 in the overall team competition at Speed Week. Posting three of the top four places today should extend that lead and put the team in position to win the overall competition. The win by Keough has all but cemented his grip on the U25 individual competition.

Two races remain in the series: Saturday’s Dillworth Criterium in Charlotte, N.C., and Sunday’s Sunny King Criterium back in the Atlanta area.

Photo: Jake Keough, Jonathan Devich, Epic Images

Print | posted on Monday, May 03, 2010 10:30 AM