Clump For 09

Kona's Freeride Crew

Date: 2009-01-16

KONAWORLD (Jan. 15, 2009) - The Clump team is fueled for 2009 - with high-test diesel.

Building off last year's accomplishments, the Kona freeride team will be shredding the world over this year with big-air assaults, high-caliber dance moves and all-around kickass style. Riding their Cowan, Stinky and Bass rigs, these six aerial artists will be bringing it hard to every competition and post-event fiesta - regardless of the official language.

Fresh to the Kona Clump team is freeride phenom Graham Aggassiz (Sombrio/Giro/Oakley) - AKA Aggy. This precocious 19-year-old rider from Kamloops, B.C. has been riding a Kona since he first saddled a bike. With the help of the Bicycle Cafe, Aggy rode his way up the ranks and was signed by Kona in October 2008. After placing third at the BearClaw Invitational and seventh at the coveted Red Bull Rampage, Aggy's transition to the Clump Team was just as smooth as his 20-foot gap jump landings. This season he'll be pedaling the globe conmpeting an d filming for his debut in Freeride Entertainment's NWD 10.

crankworx slopestyle 2008
 Graham Agassiz.  Photo ~ Ian Hylands

For 09, the Clump is pumped to return the Lacondeguy brothers to the team. Andreu (Red Bull/Oakley/O'Neal) and Lluis (Kona clothing/O'Neal) are geared up for some heavy hitting battles around the world this year and are extremely excited to have passports that will get them between borders hassle-free. Last year the duo was featured in the NWD 9 film and Andreu unanimously won the renowned Kokanee Crankworx slopestyle event pulling off a graceful, show-stopping double back-flip. The Spaniards will also be filming for NWD 10 - so keep an eye out.

crankworx slopestyle 2008
 Andreu Lacondeguy. Photo ~ Malcolm McLaws

Bass is back. After sustaining his first career riding injury in Australia last year with a broken collarbone, Paul Basagoitia (Red Bull/Giro/Raceface/DVS) is more focused than ever. He has been putting in countless hours on his own personal dirt jump compound (where filming will take place later this year) and logging some serious riding time. In 09, Bass will be tearing up contests from the Nissan Qashqai Series to Crankworx events in Colorado and Whistler to the deserts of Virgin, Utah for the Red Bull Rampage. Bass will also be filming for NWD 10.

crankworx slopestyle 2008
 Paul Basagoitia.  Photo ~ Blake Jorgenson.

Chopper, AKA Grant Fielder (Vans/ProTec), will be giv’n’r again mostly in European events. Not only has Chop been working with kids and teaching them bike skills over the winter, he’s been honing his skills course building at "Whitestyle" in Leogang, Austria.

crankworx slopestyle 2008
 Grant Fielder. Photo ~ John Gibson.

Last but not least - the glue that holds it all together – John “JC” Cowan (Salomon/Giro). JC’s skills, aside from throwing amazing tricks on his bike, are focused around working closely and designing products at Kona. You can look forward to some of John’s signature trails to start popping up at a Kona Groove Approved bike park near you. Also, to check out JC's debut in Kona's Dr. Dew Files Episode #3 - "Making It Simple," CLICK HERE.

crankworx slopestyle 2008
 JC. Photo ~ John Gibson.

For more about Kona Bikes and the Clump team cruise over to: konaworld.com and konaworld.com/08_clump.

About the Kona Bicycle Company:

The Kona Bicycle Company has been making bikes for 20 years now and we know what we’re doing. Kona manufacturers more than 80 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. We ride our bikes everyday.