ESKONA WORLD CHAMPS SPEED MACHINES
A Gallery of the Hottest Race Bikes
Kona Ironman World Champs always offers a special opportunity to see the raddest tri bike tech all in one place. Pro photographer Nils Nilsen took the following images on the big island during the week ahead of the race.
Sebastian Kienle's fluoro colored Scott is as beautiful as it is visible. Some special touches include a unique eTap AXS Blip setup on his aero bars, rainbow 12-speed chain and 10-33t cassette (you need to earn a World Championship title to get those), and a stowaway ladybug that will hopefully flap her wings on course and give Seb an extra boost of speed!
Aussie Sarah Crowley's hot pink accented CANYON means business. Set up with an eTap AXS groupset with 52t 1x AXS Power Meter chainring and 10-33t cassette, she has all the tools she needs to lay down a fast bike split on race day. Having her signature in hot pink on her Zipp NSW 858 and 454 wheels seals the deal.
This stealthy dazzle camo painted disc brake Felt belongs to Aussie Josh Amberger. A high setup on his 110mm Zipp Vuka Cabon Evo aero extensions gets his hands in line with his head for max aerodynamic efficiency. SRAM eTap AXS Clics on the extensions and S-900 Aero HRD brakes and Blips on the base bar round out his cockpit setup. Like his similarly equipped competitors, he's chosen a 1x 52t AXS Power Meter chainring and 10-33t cassette for the Queen K course.
This seriously sleek metallic CUBE belongs to German Andi Böcherer. A pair of Zipp 858 NSW wheels, 110mm Vuka Evo Carbon aero extensions and RED eTap AXS 1x drivetrain are all the tools he needs to take on Kona.
Few athletes are as well-beloved by fans as Mirinda Carfrae. Her beautiful disc brake-equipped Felt has a rainbow drivetrain to denote her prior world champ status. A matching, yet subtle rainbow clearcoat on her fork crown ties in nicely. Known for her running prowess, Rinny opted for a 50t 1x AXS Power Meter chainring and 10-33t cassette combo. And, of course, Rinny's signature is applied to her Zipp NSW 858 and 454 wheels in a blue that matches her bike and the nearby waters of the Pacific.
It's clear that Alistair Brownlee has gone to great lengths to dial in his Scott for the Queen K. The former ITU star has his RED eTap AXS 1x drivetrain set up with a 52t chainring, a rainbow 10-28t cassette, and a matching chain. A custom cockpit and a pair of Zipp NSW wheels round out this 70.3 world champ's race machine.