The very first time I got in touch with Kona was in 2014. The O’Neal Rookie slopestyle happened at the Bikepark Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and I won best trick. Kona also sponsored the event, and the first prize was a steel Kona Shonky frame. At the time I still rode for another company, but we parted ways very soon after the event. I started to build up the Shonky I won and fell completely in love with the bike. Fast forward two years…I guess I sent a request to Kona Austria (because I moved from Germany to Austria) to ask if they could support me. I got my first DH bike (2017 Supreme Operator, which I still ride today) for a really good price and got a few frames over the years. That’s the story how I got in touch with Kona and I’m super happy to continue this ride.
SUPER GRASSROOTS NEWS
MORE FROM THE COG BIGGEST INFLUENCE
My biggest influence was and will forever be former Kona Rider Andreu Laconderguy. I’m still a huge fan. Incredible Rider. I’m also influenced by my friends, especially Peter Kaiser. We pushed each other over the years and it’s always awesome to compete with him on a friendly basis and push our riding together.
GOALS FOR THIS YEAR
In 2017 I moved to Innsbruck, Austria to ride bikes and study sports management. Most of the time I rode bikes, but I'll finish university soon (I promise, Mom). My main goal in 2022 is to keep improving on my bikes. I’ve got a few things in mind I want to do but it's hard to tell. I’m super happy to be invited again to the flat-out days in Slovenia, as it’s the event I focus the most on. The other things I can’t tell, but a video part should be on its way again this year.
