San Luis, Argentina – UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s Jake Keough (USA) finished 5th in the final stage of the Tour de San Luis earlier today en route to capturing his fourth top 10 finish in the seven stages of the sixth edition of the race.

Keough and the boys in the blue representing the American pro continental outfit made an impressive showing in their first race of the year. Team UnitedHealthcare battled a combination of scorching temperatures, driving rain, crashes, and a slew of pretty aggravated, agitated and aggressive riders in the peloton, to finish 7th overall in the 24 team field. Additionally, Team Captain Jonny Clarke’s hard work throughout the Tour carried him to an 18th place finish in the General Classification.

In the familiar scene that is Keough being led to the line by his teammates, the young man from New England once again showed his ability to go pedal to pedal with the best in the sport. In a frantic downhill sprint finish where speeds reached upwards of 80km/h, Keough’s “full gas” effort was bested by only by a top four consisting of winner Tom Boonen (Bel) of Omega Pharma-Quick Step, runner-up Andrea Guardini (Ita) of Farnese Vini-Selle Italia, Argentinean Maximiliano Richeze (Arg) who finished 3rd, and Frenchman Jimmy Casper of AG2R-La Mondiale, who took fourth.

General Manager and Director, Mike Tamayo, commented on his Team’s overall performance in Argentina, saying, “The stage was set for a great, aggressive and wildly competitive Tour de San Luis this year, and it didn’t disappoint. The organizers did a good job and the crowds were great. Jake (Keough) and the entire Team raced hard. They fought all week and overcame numerous obstacles thrown at them. We have some things to work on, but for the first race out the gate, the boys did well and we’re excited about where this Team can go this year.”

 

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team roster for the 2012 Tour de San Luis:

Robert Förster (Ger)

Jake Keough (USA)

Jonny Clarke (Aus)

Ben Day (Aus)

Adrian Hegyvary (USA)

Jeff Louder (USA)

Jason McCartney (USA)

Jay Thomson (RSA)