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Posted - Tuesday, July 31, 2007 -- Minneapolis, MN
Contact: Steve Gill 612.839.9730 or sgill@circuitsport.com

Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast's Nick Waite to Have Surgery
Recovery Expected to Keep Waite Off Road Through ' 07 Season

Nick Waite-Photo by JR Petsko
Nick Waite photo by JR Petsko
Minneapolis, Minn., - Nick Waite, one of the central figures, in this season's stage race squad of the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast pro cycling team heads into surgery this week, following an injury in the final Stillwater stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix several weeks ago.

Waite, who turned pro in 2002 as a pro mb and now racing for kbs/m, is scheduled for surgery to treat Iliac Artery Endofibrosis in his left leg, a condition which doctors believe can exist in some athletes for years until intense performance causes the affected limb to give out. It is more common among pro cyclists than any other athlete group and involves the aggravated rubbing of the iliac artery on a ligament, which runs from the pubic bone to the hip bone every time a cyclist makes a pedal stroke.

"Essentially it looks like I've been riding with the brakes on my left leg my entire career," says Waite. "I'm looking forward to finally having this dealt with and coming back to race with the full use of my leg for the first time since I turned pro. Hopefully that's going to mean stronger, faster and both more ready and able to win."

"Nick's absolutely doing the right thing at the right time," says performance director Jonas Carney. "He's been a critical part of the team in the first half of our season when we raced a lot of stage races, but right now we're fielding criterium squads and that creates a window for him to have the surgery. We'll be excited to see him be able to race happy, health and to his full potential."

Waite's injury follows seasoned sprinter Dave McCook's broken wrist, Reid Mumford's broken Tibial Plateau, Mark Hinnen's tendonitis and Justin Spinelli's broken collarbone sustained 500 meters from the finish line in Philadelphia.

"We never take unnecessary chances but we do race to win every time," adds Carney. "There's no point racing if you're not really in the game. As a new team we've had a few set backs this first season but we look after our guys extremely well and they come back stronger than ever. Just look at McCook."

The Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast pro cycling team is managed by Minneapolis-based Circuit Global Sport Management.

About Kelly Benefit Strategies (www.kellybenefitstrategies.com) is a group insurance broker and consultant that specialize in healthcare, and is a division of Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc, headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland. KBS serves thousands of employers ranging in size from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies and is committed to bringing its customers affordable group benefits through innovative benefit design, management, and administration.

About Medifast (www.medifastdiet.com) Medifast (NYSE: MED) is the leading easy-to-use, clinically proven meal replacement program. Medifast has been recommended by thousands of physicians and used by over one million customers. Its programs have been proven effective through studies by researchers from major university teaching hospitals. The company sells its products and programs direct to consumer via the web and national call centers as well as through its national network of physicians and clinics, and Take Shape for Life program. Medifast was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland.

About Circuit Global Sports Management www.circuitsport.com) Minneapolis-based CGSM facilitates strategic alliances between corporate partners and professional cycling initiatives. Previous high-profile clients include Cadillac, Red Bull, Panasonic, DKNY, Dollar Rent a Car, Jeep, Timberland, and the State of Minnesota.