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Kona-YourKey.com Cross Team |
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Written by Alan Starrett
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Tuesday, 18 September 2007 |
 Kona Bicycle Company is pleased to announce Your Key Mortgage as the new co-title sponsor for the Kona Factory Cyclocross team. “Your Key Mortgage is proud to endorse and sponsor the Kona Cyclo Cross team. Kona’s Cyclo Cross team shares the same values as Your Key Mortgage, dedication, a winning tradition and above all unwavering professionalism. Your Key Mortgage wishes the team the best of luck on what is sure to be another great year,” said founder Scott Cugno.
 Defending US National and US Gran Gran Prix Champion Ryan Trebon will headline the team which has dominated the North American Cross Scene for the past three years. Returning teammates looking to put the screws to the rest of the field are former US Gran Prix Winner Barry Wicks, former US Canadian National Champion Wendy Simms, Former US Masters National Champion Dale Knapp and fan favorite Erik Tonkin.
 | | Ryan Trebon |
USA Elite Men’s National Cyclocross Champion Ryan Trebon will be spending his cross season on both sides of the Atlantic. Due to a favorable domestic schedule, Trebon decided to stay stateside and defend his US Gran Prix title along with teammate Barry Wicks. “I though it would be pretty cool to go for four US Gran Prix Titles in a row for the Kona team. Since the schedule looks like it will work I’m ready to make a good run at it,” said Trebon. The rest of the season Trebon will be Belgian based racing with the best crossers in the world. Trebon notched a 10th place finish in a Super Prestige Race last year and he has set a tough goal of cracking the top five at either a World Cup or Super Prestige.
 | | Barry Wicks |
Fellow Twin Timber and 2005 US Gran Prix Overall Champion Barry Wicks is set to do battle on the North American Cross scene. Wicks had one of the most amazing rides of his cross career at the US Gran Prix in Boulder, Colorado in 2006 and showed he still has the cross legs to pull out the big win. “I’m really stoked for this season and my legs feel great, except for the hole in my right one from mountain bike World Champs in Fort Bill. But since I’m going to back off on the European cross scene this year I’m as fired up about racing cross this season as I have been in a long time,” remarked Wicks.
 | | Wendy Simms |
Wendy Simms is ready to unleash new power this year. Freed up from the full time job that limited her cross training last year to about 4 hours per week, she is feeling good about her chances at some great finishes. Frustration boiled over during this years mountain bike season as she got sick early in the season and could never quite recover. So she took some time off, had some fun doing some grassroots events then went on to dominate the mixed open class in the Trans Rockies with her husband Normon Thibault. “I’m fired up for cross big time. Seeing photos of my new team rig all built up and weighing in at 16.3 lbs gets me even more jazzed,” Simms wrote in an email from the final mountain bike World Cup in Slovenia. “I felt last year like I could hang with the top girls for . of the race but would just fade in the end. This year it’s going to be different.”
 | | Erik Tonkin |
Erik Tonkin will continue as the fan favorite of the workingman (and woman). Now that his wife and former cross supers star, Rhonda Mazza, is pregnant with their first child he has the work of two to keep up the family name. “My new motto is finishing ahead of full time pro’s to make them feel bad about themselves,” said Tonkin in somewhat jest. He’s a favorite among fellow riders as well fans. The inside joke amongst full time pros is that if Tonkin, who often works 60 hours a week at his bike shop Sellwood Cycle Repair--then races, finishes ahead of you it’s time to retire or get a new career. Look for a few full time pros to be mulling over retirement this year as result of him. Tonkin is also always willing to share his secrets and teach skills. He will continue to run his Portland area Wednesday night cross clinics. One recent clinic had a record turnout of 150 crossers.
 | | Dale & Ann Knapp |
Last and certainly not least is the original powerhouse of the Kona Cyclocross teams, Dale Knapp (and Ann Knapp). He too has the family name to uphold as his wife “the Queen of Cross” Ann Knapp is also pregnant with their first child. “It’s tough for Ann to see me out there racing with her on the sidelines because she loves racing and the sport so much. So if I’m going to be out there I better go fast or I’m going to hear it from her,” said Knapp. Knapp will attending as many US Gran Prix and regional races as his schedule can allow. He will also continue as the main coach and trainer for the Kona Sponsored RAD Racing Program. Ann will be cheering fro the team as an honorary member from the other side of the race tape, or has so often been the case as a helper in the pits.
About Your Key Mortgage:
Your Key Mortgage, Inc. is a privately held residential mortgage lending company with headquarters in Clearwater, FL. It specializes in retail lending, originating a variety of first and second mortgage loan products. Your Key Mortgage loan products include A-Paper, FHA, Sub-Prime and Home Equity Lines of Credit. Your Key Mortgage is also proud to offer financial and credit analysis, title, and relocation assistance. yourkey.com
About the Kona Bicycle Company:
The Kona Bicycle Company designs, manufacturers and distributes more than 60 models of purpose-built, high-performance mountain, road and urban bicycles. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Ferndale, Washington, USA, Kona bicycles are distributed worldwide in more than 60 countries through independent specialty bicycle dealers. Kona funds several professional road, mountain and cyclo-cross racing teams that include World Cup Champions, World Champions and National Champions. konaworld.com
 | | 2008 Kona-Key Mortgage Factory Cyclocross Team Bike Wendy Simms’ Queen Ann |
The Kona-Your Key Mortgage team rides on Kona Major Jake Frames. The lucky ladies of Kona and our affiliate teams ride the same frame but with the Queen Ann moniker as a tribute to Ann and her enduring contributions to the team and the sport of cyclocross.
Our Sponsors:
Kona, Jake & Dan, Your Key Mortgage, Stvenstad Dental, Big Agnes
Our Equipment:
Kona Custom butted Scandium frame with forged yoke
FSA K Force Light Handlebars, Stem, Seat post, Cranks, Orbit Xtreme Pro
Headset-K Force Light 480 Carbon Tubular Wheels
Alpha Q CX20 Carbon Cross Fork
Shimano Dura Ace Shifters, Derailleurs and chain.
KORE KROSS Cantilever brakes
Swiss Stop Pads
WTB Silverado Saddle
VERGE Clothing keeps us looking good
Honey Stinger provide fuel
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