Kona Athletes

Pro Development Rider Elliot Smith Kicks Of His Season with a Podium Finish | Kona Bikes

Pro Development Rider Elliot Smith Kicks Of His Season with a Podium Finish | Kona Bikes

The Capital Enduro has grown to be Wellington, New Zealand's biggest enduro event, it's the only one awarding proper prize money and boasting a bigger course than our local rounds.

Having just taken on a personal trainer for the 2024 season, I had just started my first ever gym program and was feeling strong. The plan was to get as fast as I could in leading up to the event. Then I got real smart and twisted my ankle whilst mountain running (very stupid) this took me out for a couple weeks, which was enough time for some cobwebs to form leading into the big weekend.

Elliot SMith Racing A Kona Process X CR

I still managed to get some practice on the hardest tracks of the race which I was happy about, I even felt fast . Then race day came and due to overnight rain the hard tracks got pulled! Just my luck. The resulting race was evidently one that relied a lot on endurance and long pedals, which I didn’t quite have the legs for.

Elliot Smith Racing his Kona Process X CR

Even with all the setbacks and changes I found my way up into the top three after a long day about 20 seconds off the pace. Not as close as I’d prefer but better than I thought I’d do.

I still have a bit of work to do before nationals in March but with my coach and program I’m feeling hyped! 

 

 

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