Select Page

Kona Pro Team Highlights – May 2022

Wow! To say our pro team riders had a busy May would be a massive understatement! Cory Wallace defended his 24-hour World Championship title, Kerry Werner won his fourth Trans-Sylviana Epic stage race, nailed an epic Fastest Known Time on the Rockstar Gravel route, and Becca Fahringer raced her first-ever Grinduro and loved it. Miranda Miller traveled to Scotland and began filming for her @dvrgntminds Here, There and Everywhere film series with fellow Sea to Sky resident and teammate Caleb Holonko. Caleb also put the finishing touches on the rebuild of legendary North Shore trail Boogie Nights and took part in a Kona-funded video celebrating the trail’s new lease of life. Tito Tomasi spent the month in Nepal guiding and filming an upcoming project of his own.

I had a tough month leading up to the first round of EWS—injuring my shoulder and catching COVID. I had only ridden my bike once before flying to Scotland and I really didn’t know if I’d be able to race or not. So, to line up and race the whole weekend was a big win for me. Fewer rounds means that they’re more precious to me and this weekend got me very excited—I was able to enjoy every moment. I’m a huge fan of the sport and I loved watching the weekend unfold. For me, the highlight was seeing Innes Graham take 3rd spot in front of a home crowd!

Miranda Miller, Kona Factory Team

My May was jam-packed full of rad times! Highlights of the month start with the opening of our North Shore winter build project, Boogie Nights, to the public. It sure was awesome to see so many people enjoying our hard work. With that project finished up, I got to rip my bikes a whole bunch and sample other builders’ work around the local mountains in an attempt to get my butt into shape for my trip later in the month with Miranda Miller. My “training” included some time in the gym, pedaling up hills, riding every day, some heavy yard work, and chopping an outrageous amount of firewood. All of a sudden I was panic building a new bike and headed to Scotland! The last week and a bit of May I spent my time hammering some of the Tweed Valley’s finest trails. I got to participate in a local trail day and coach day for Miranda’s new video series. May was wrapped up with visiting the Edinborough Museum and attending a Medieval Fair, which was an absolutely insane experience.

Caleb Holonko, Kona Factory Team

Namaste.
After months of work and preparation, I headed back to Nepal for a couple of projects. I flew to the country of big mountains and endless trails and spent the month of May there. The trip was separated into two projects. The first two weeks I guided a group from France for an epic traverse and journey across the Annapurnas, while the second part of the month was dedicated to a sick project with Geoff Gulevich and JB Bazzarini—our filmmaker. We filmed a documentary about our trip to Mustang and Annapurnas, and the itinerary was hard and long. We had ups and downs, crashes, and snow storms, but we also had incredible trails, beautiful meetings, and strong personal achievements. What a trip! Back home, happy and fully satisfied. It’s time to fix that broken rib and give love to my Process 134.

Tito Tomasi, Kona Factory Team

May started off with training up in some pretty rough spring conditions in the Rockies. It was more like winter as I prepped for 24HR Worlds in Italy. The Sauna became my best friend to warm up after rides and to get some heat acclimation for Worlds, which were going to be Hot. Mid-month I headed down to one of Western Canada’s oldest races, the 6-hour Salty Dog in Salmon Arm. It rained throughout the race and was held in some rough conditions but it provided a great warm-up for the 24 Worlds as I would take the win while testing out some new nutrition. My Dad joined me for the weekend which was very special.

The highlight of the month was heading over to Italy for Worlds to defend my three previous titles. My cousin Ali traveled over with me and we met my coach Luke Way and his girlfriend Stacey from Balance Point Racing. They were an amazing support crew as we had a proper battle to defend the title in some blistering Italian heat. It was a success eventually claiming a 15-minute victory and a fourth World Champs jersey.

Over and Out from Kansas!

Cory Wallace, Kona Endurance Team

May was crazy for me. It kicked off with the grueling BWR San Marcos. Four days later I did the FKT (fastest known time) on the Rockstar Gravel in 18h:30m. Six days later I did a five-day bikepack trip of the Blue Ridge Parkway (469 miles) with a friend. Three days later I took a PMBIA mountain bike instructor course. Four days later I started and won the Trans-Sylvania Epic MTB stage race. Haha. Makes me tired just writing all that stuff.

Kerry Werner, Kona Endurance Team

In May I was focused more on recovery than racing. After a few races in April I realized that I still needed some more work to fully recover from my concussion. I found a doctor to help me actively move my recovery along, and then I contracted Covid. Though this led me to cancel my plans of big miles training for Unbound and my eventual withdrawal from the start list, I was able to salvage the month from being a total wash by heading to Grinduro in Shasta, CA to have fun on bikes with Barry Wicks! While I couldn’t race all out on the pedaling segments I came away with a win on the downhill stage and a love for the fun Enduro format.

Rebecca Fahringer, Kona Factory Team

Categories

Archives

Calendar

March 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031