According to the latest release from Zipp Speed Weaponry, many of the world’s top triathletes will be counting on Zipp wheels and components to put in peak performances tomorrow, Saturday 8 October, at the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
This year’s race marks the competitive debut of the redesigned 188 rear hub, improved to give Zipp wheels greater stiffness. It’s part of Zipp’s ‘march of innovation to make athletes faster’.
In 2010, the Firecrest wheel-shape made a triumphant debut at Kona when Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack of Australia rode the 808 Firecrest en route to his second world championship. Fellow Australian Mirinda ‘Rinny’ Carfrae completed a Zipp pro sweep by capturing the women’s crown.
McCormack is not defending his title this year. Zipp, though, has plenty of stars in Kona. In the men’s pro field, Zipp’s roster includes Marino Vanhoenacker, Maik Twelsiek, Luke McKenzie and Rasmus Henning.
For Kona, Vanhoenacker will be riding 808 Firecrest wheels that include the redesigned 188 rear hub. His Scott frame will be outfitted with SRAM RED components. “I never have put more energy and time into optimizing the bike than this year,” the Belgian said. On the women’s side, Carfrae will be defending her title using Zipp 404 (650c) wheels and SRAM RED components.
Zipp-sponsored pros:
Men: Luke Bell, Mathias Hecht, Rasmus Henning, Ben Hoffman, Michael Lovato, Luke McKenzie, Jan Raphael, Matt Reed, TJ Tollakson, Maik Twelsiek, Marino Vanhoenacker, Patrick Vernay and Michael ‘Michi’ Weiss.
Women: Mirinda ‘Rinny’ Carfrae, Virginia Berasategui, Hillary Biscay, Linsey Corbin, Desiree Ficker, Jo Lawn, Kim Loeffler and Yvonne Van Vlerken.
