Daily Archives: 10/26/2011

Kona 2012 Grass Roots Program Starts Now

Posted on 10/26/2011 by eddy

Since Kona began its Grassroots Pro Development Program in 1990, we’ve helped hundreds of amateur cyclists take the next step in their competitive endeavors. Some notable riders that started in Grassroots include Ryder Hesjedal, Geoff Kabush, Barry Wicks, and Ryan Trebon. Two current Team Kona athletes that got their start in the program include Graham “Aggy” Agassiz, and Antoine “Bizzy” Bizet. “New developments in cycling have always started at the grassroots level,” explains Jacob Heilbron, one of Kona’s founders. “Being in touch and working with up and coming athletes has driven just about every important new platform and model that Kona has introduced since we started building bikes in 1988.”

New for 2012, we’ve honed in our Grassroots Program so that it has the ability to offer more support and focus to cycling’s brightest new talent. The program will be eligible to only 100 cyclists worldwide, through the full spectrum of disciplines: from cyclocross to DH; XC to slopestyle. Athletes are given great prices and terms on their bicycles, receive team kit, and can take advantage of a payback structure that allows athletes to earn credit through race results, published photos and video views. Stay tuned to the COG for the successes of our Grassroots Team. If you’re interested in applying to the Kona Grassroots program, please inquire at your local Kona dealer. You can also inquire by email: Canada – Trevor Porter; USA – Chris Newell; UK/Europe – Ben Gaby

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Dylan Sherrard – Fall Check Up

Posted on 10/26/2011 by eddy

“I wondered for a long time what it would be like to be there, winding slowly along the old Lilloett highway. Signage alerted me that it was “guaranteed rugged” and fits of colored leaves swirled past my windows. In between dodging solar flares as they shot their way through my windshield I realized I hadn’t seen another car in a long while. I lost track of time about five songs before then. It can be hard to guess the time in those changing seasons when the sun sits so low along the hillsides. But time wasn’t much of a worry, I knew I would end up in Bralorne before dark and that was all I was really counting on. Winter was quickly approaching and the chilly shadow around every hill was a great reminder. The hot chocolate I purchased at a small gas station in my last towns passing was a little too hot to drink just yet, but holding it with my aching grip felt just right. Read More→

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Kona Riders Alex Stock and Stefano Migliorini Fifth and Tenth at the Finale Ligure Superenduro

Posted on 10/26/2011 by eddy

As riders took to the hills I was stumbling out of my hotel room and swearing at the weak wifi connection. It was one of those days for me. Talking to a lot of the riders at the end of the day, I think I wasn’t the only one. Nearly all of them had a mechanical or an incident somewhere along the line. Despite problems everybody you spoke to at the end of the day said two things though: how hard the race was and how much fun they had. As mountain bikers we’re a weird lot, right?

Since I was such a shambles I managed to miss the pick up truck heading out to the stages to take photos, fortunately Giulio from Endura Italy was kind enough to give me his photos, so all was not lost. Thanks Giulio, I definitely owe you a beer.

As for the racing… Mixed reports were coming in all day, but looking through the splits this evening it seems that Nico was looking set to dominate, but a few problems later in the day meant he dropped back to second behind Remy Absalom. David Sottocornola flew the Italian flag today, storming to a strong third place by this evening. For us Brits it was a good day, with Dan Atherton and Alex Stock taking up the last two spots in the top five. Here’s the top ten as it stands, hopefully the results by category will be up tomorrow (we’ll get them up here with some photos from the talented Matteo Cappe too), but from what I can figure out it looks like Tracey Moseley dominated the women’s competition today.

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