Big Changes for Kona Factory Team in 2011

Feb 7, 2011 at 23:30
by Kona World
 

The Kona Factory Team has shaken up their DH roster for 2011 with the addition of Mitch Delfs and Connor Fearon. The young Aussie duo will be looking to turn some heads on the 2011 World Cups circuit on Kona’s new factory equipped Supreme Operators.

Delfs is a top 15 usual suspect on the tour with Fearon, who is still racing Junior, being well known in Australia as one to watch. The 17-year-old will be at the World Championships, Crankworx and a few stops on the World Cup. We have to give the kid a break and let him finish school first. Both riders DH rigs will be equipped with Maxxis rubber, Shimano parts, Easton cockpits and wheels, e-13 chain-guides, RockShox Suspension and WTB saddles.

Watch out for this kid - Connor Fearon
Mitch Delfs - Kona 2011

Our world famous Clump team is now more focused with Graham Agassiz, Paul Basagoitia and Grant ”Chopper” Fielder doing what they do best: pushing their Kona bikes to the limit. Graham will be busy filming with Freeride and Anthill Films this year as well as helping develop an all-new freeride bike. “So stoked to be on Kona for a couple more years and being more involved than ever!” says the 20-year-old from Kamloops, BC.

RB Rampage 2010 - Graham Agassiz
RB Rampage 2010 - Graham Agassiz

Bass will also be filming with Freeride Entertainment for 2011, in between a busy competition schedule where he’ll be looking to continue his slopestyle domination on his signature Kona Bass.

Paul Bas at Crankworx
Paul Bas at Crankworx

Chopper just finished designing an amazing course at this year’s Whitestyle in Leogang and will be spreading the groove again this year with his school programs and participating in dirt jump comps everywhere. The Clump riders will be rocking RockShox suspension for 2011, as well as Maxxis rubber, Shimano parts, Easton cockpits and wheels, e-13 chain-guides, and WTB saddles.

The Super D/ Enduro side of Kona is growing with our Magic Link Cadabras and Coilairs proving their speed and adaptability on race courses around the world. French racing legend Karim Amour and PNW speedster Matt Slaven of the Portland represent Kona’s increased commitment to Enduro racing. Both are an integral part of the development of our race proven Magic designs, equipped with Maxxis rubber, Shimano parts, Easton cockpits and wheels, e-13 chain-guides, RockShox Suspension and WTB saddles. Look for both to dominate at the new Kona Magic Enduro at this year’s Crankworx.

For XC and Marathon, Kona welcomes a new member to our 29er loving crew. Spencer Paxson is joining the team along with superstars Barry Wicks, Kris Sneddon and Canadian National 24HR Champion, Cory Wallace. The Team’s 29er race rigs will be equipped with Maxxis rubber, Shimano parts, cockpits by Full Speed Ahead, Stans No Tubes wheels, RockShox Suspension and WTB saddles.

“We’re looking forward to the continuing dominance from our returning riders and some great results and film parts from our latest additions,” says Smiley Nesbitt, Kona’s Sports Marketing Manager. “With the support of our partners, we’re quite confident that a lot of great things are going to go down this year.”

Look out for the Kona Factory Team at a town near you.


Must Read This Week

66 Comments

  • + 25
flag captyvatemedia (Feb 8, 2011 at 0:43)
 Connor will be World Champion, mark my words.
  • + 4
flag J-O-H (Feb 8, 2011 at 0:53)
 If not Troy. Those two are off the hook. Amazing to watch.
  • + 0
flag skippy888 (Feb 8, 2011 at 1:16)
 The Australian Nationals just this weekend is enough said.
  • + 7
flag melikebikealot14 (Feb 8, 2011 at 8:35)
 Damn Aussies, makin' all the other nations look slow
  • + 5
flag jdotr (Feb 8, 2011 at 9:37)
 dont forget loose cannon
  • + 1
flag dhcyc Mod (Feb 8, 2011 at 11:11)
 it's because they live on the other side
  • + 1
flag jdotr (Feb 8, 2011 at 11:19)
 true.
  • + 0
flag hoolydooly (Feb 8, 2011 at 22:32)
 maybe we just somehow want it more. but i think a big part of it is trying to keep up with/being faster than you're mates.
  • + 1
flag dhc-murphy (Feb 10, 2011 at 9:05)
 it kinda seems unfair to connor , Troy has so much publicity because of specialized but connor is only milliseconds behind him and he goes basically unoticed,
  • + 1
flag J-O-H (Feb 14, 2011 at 23:48)
 He has beaten Troy a few times now.
[Reply]
  • + 13
flag smeagle505 (Feb 8, 2011 at 4:39)
 Wow delfs on kona so unexpected
  • - 14
flag rigodon777 (Feb 8, 2011 at 6:27) (Below Threshold) show comment
 Delfs on a kona... NOT something i'm pleased with...
  • + 1
flag endlesstrailz (Feb 8, 2011 at 6:31)
 very unexpected, this is his 4th team change in 4 years i believe...
  • + 9
flag bomberdave (Feb 8, 2011 at 12:01)
 Why are you not pleased? do you have a Pivot and feel like a lesser person now?
  • - 9
flag rigodon777 (Feb 8, 2011 at 14:41) (Below Threshold) show comment
 WHAT THE HELL? Because I'm giving my opinion on his new sponsor choice i'm getting neg props, AND Hated on, BTW i'm getting a v10 so I don't think it's really affecting me, but I would have seen delfs on a better DH suited bike!
  • + 4
flag bomberdave (Feb 8, 2011 at 16:09)
 How is the Operator a bad DH bike? Have you ridden it? if not you cant really give an opinion on the subject can you.
  • + 3
flag eastofski (Feb 8, 2011 at 16:29)
 Yeah because people assumed you're another brainless sheep who hates Kona just because everyone else does. Maybe if you'd provided a reason people wouldn't have jumped to that conclusion
  • - 2
flag rigodon777 (Feb 8, 2011 at 17:46)
 Maybe I work in a shop that basically deals only kona and we had a demo at the local hill with the new operator, and let's say I was PRETTY dissapointed..
  • + 2
flag eastofski (Feb 8, 2011 at 18:23)
 Well there we are, that's a decent reason, personal experience of the bike. if you had said that originally you would have avoided the neg props and hating. There are plenty of people that hate Kona for no reason and you should probably distance yourself from that
  • + 1
flag hoolydooly (Feb 8, 2011 at 22:36)
 really cos i met a few guys at thredbo with them and they loved it!
  • + 3
flag bomberdave (Feb 9, 2011 at 10:59)
 As did I, enough that its replacing my DHR this season
  • + 2
flag Downhill-Doug (Feb 11, 2011 at 15:52)
 Still think 'rigodon777' is just spitting his dummy out, to 'high class' for kona so finds reasons not to like them and my bet clearly bias in reviewing them. Go suck santa-cruz d*ck
[Reply]
  • + 9
flag Greenwood102 (Feb 8, 2011 at 0:17)
 Nice, should boost Kona's popularity with bikers
  • + 39
flag stellaride (Feb 8, 2011 at 6:11)
 I agree, people need to stop hating on kona so much. They produce world cup class bikes
  • + 5
flag riccardoleumann (Feb 8, 2011 at 8:40)
 Yessss the clump's gonna be riding rockshoxs!!!
  • + 5
flag no-ah (Feb 8, 2011 at 9:55)
 agassiz freeride bike? I WANT. at least for now it sounds amazing.
  • + 2
flag biname (Feb 8, 2011 at 13:10)
 YESS MITCH!
  • + 1
flag konakid1993 (Feb 9, 2011 at 12:13)
 I am no longer embarassed to have Kona in my name! Now I just need to get a Kona again...
  • + 1
flag killacali (Feb 9, 2011 at 13:13)
 ^^im wit sella^^kona is legit
[Reply]
  • + 6
flag norcocensored (Feb 8, 2011 at 8:42)
 delfs!awsome deal,i hope he gets the treatment he deserves from sponsors...
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag brule Mod Plus (Feb 8, 2011 at 9:22)
 Congrats Mitch, I hope that you and Connor are able to really work with each other this year and get up on the podium like you are capable of! Best of luck!
[Reply]
  • + 6
flag blinkerx (Feb 8, 2011 at 8:14)
 cant wait to see some comments of kona "haters" Smile
[Reply]
  • + 5
flag sethius (Feb 8, 2011 at 5:40)
 Connors a machine, between him and Troy and a few others, the australian downhill future is very bright!
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag progressionobsession (Feb 8, 2011 at 12:58)
 Smart move by Kona to invest in some young aussies. The clump rocks too. Yay for Kona!
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag alikona (Feb 8, 2011 at 15:33)
 good to see kona putting some effort back into the world cup team , look what they did with barel an mosley a few years back , maybe well have that again??
[Reply]
  • + 5
flag tom-cuthbert (Feb 8, 2011 at 0:52)
 'All new free-ride bike' Intermeresting.
  • - 2
flag me2menow (Feb 8, 2011 at 15:18)
 probably just like the "ALLL NEWWW" tanuki and operator
same shit,
different tubing, geometry tweak and name
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag Railgunner (Feb 9, 2011 at 11:38)
 Operator is hands down the best bang for buck on the entry level DH bike market!!! 3G's complete at retail AWESOME good work Kona on leading the pack in that
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag extention (Feb 8, 2011 at 13:59)
 Awesome to see conner in a world cup team. He will give Troy a run for his money
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag Keiron (Feb 8, 2011 at 8:24)
 Connor Fearon! Go on lad!
[Reply]
  • + 4
flag rawf85 (Feb 8, 2011 at 2:37)
 I want my operator soooo bad!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag mountguitars (Feb 8, 2011 at 16:26)
 these guys are so inspiring. i can't wait to get my kona DH operator, hehehe.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag zackdoherty (Feb 8, 2011 at 20:46)
 what kind of price would i be looking at for the cheapest camera to make this videos quality?
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag Downhill340 (Feb 8, 2011 at 8:12)
 I want to race for this team so baadd
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag Circes (Feb 8, 2011 at 0:54)
 How many times did they have too say will be equipped with Maxxis rubber, Shimano parts, Easton cockpits and wheels, e-13 chain-guides, RockShox Suspension and WTB saddles" to satisfy said sponsors?
  • + 10
flag Steezysix (Feb 8, 2011 at 0:57)
 Four.
  • + 12
flag captyvatemedia (Feb 8, 2011 at 0:57)
 Every time, I'd imagine. Would you want to be supporting a team by supplying them with your parts for next to nothing and have no recognition for it? I don't think so.
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag bighit-ben (Feb 8, 2011 at 2:16)
 Fuck school, get Connor racing the whole world series. But honeslty this is an awesome step for him and I hope he is able to pull some wins, because theres no doubt he has the potential to.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag kokaneecrankworx (Feb 8, 2011 at 9:05)
 What's happened to Joe smith?
  • + 2
flag Steezysix (Feb 8, 2011 at 9:25)
 Went to CRC/Nukeproof
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag ipattis Plus (Feb 8, 2011 at 5:57)
 Way to go Spencer!!!!!
  • + 2
flag TeamRicky (Feb 8, 2011 at 6:40)
 AAWWWW YEAH GIRL Prancer Paxson is gonna get real ricky on that 69er this year! Also, IPattis, can I trade my xbox 360 for your blazer jimmy? Such a nice Jimmy, I would totally buy it if I had the money! I could also trade you my paintball gun.
  • + 2
flag mattpatt (Feb 8, 2011 at 7:27)
 Yeah Spencer! Looking forward to seeing where he goes with this support! World Cups? Also, very interested to see how Connor Fearon does this year, kid's been lighting it up at the Aussie Nationals and only missing 1st place by slim margins. Not sure if Troy is eligible to defend his Jnr worlds title this year (i.e. is now an Elite), but I know Neko and Connor will be going for it!
Good to see Kona getting behind the racing again.
  • + 1
flag whitetux (Feb 8, 2011 at 9:56)
 troy is not an elite, he was only 1st year junior last year, he still has a second year of junior
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag siggi985 (Feb 8, 2011 at 12:17)
 what song is it?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag joslatapi (Feb 8, 2011 at 15:37)
 go on! connor.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag siggi985 (Feb 8, 2011 at 12:17)
 what song is it?
  • + 1
flag nath101 (Feb 8, 2011 at 16:48)
 The song is Holidays (feat. Alan Palomo) - Miami Horror.
  • + 1
flag Bjammin (Feb 8, 2011 at 19:20)
 You already said that.
[Reply]
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