Lena Korona: Building Endurance on Her New Racing Weapon

 

Progress in mountain biking rarely comes from talent alone. It’s built through early mornings, uncomfortable training sessions and the decision to keep going when things get hard. That’s a reality 17-year-old XC racer Lena Korona is already learning.

Lena doesn’t ride for quick wins. She rides for progress — for the small improvements that come from consistency, mistakes and time spent on the bike. Each training session and every race add another layer of experience, shaping both her riding and her mindset.
bigquotes “To start winning, you have to go through tough moments.”—Lena Korona, 17

Behind that progress is a close group of people supporting the process. Her bike was built in a our service workshop with performance in mind, carefully prepared to match her riding style and the demands of modern XC racing. The setup focuses on efficiency, precision and reliability — qualities that matter when courses get faster and margins get smaller.

The project is based on the Giant Anthem Advanced SL SE World Champs Edition, a race-focused XC platform inspired by bikes proven at the highest level of competition. Its lightweight carbon frame, efficient suspension layout and direct power transfer make it well suited to modern XC tracks that demand both speed and control. The bike gives Lena the confidence to push harder as she continues to develop as a racer.

Anthem Advanced SL SE World Champs after build

What makes Lena’s story relatable isn’t her age or her results, but the familiar rhythm of effort and doubt, confidence and failure. It’s a journey shaped by patience and persistence — and one that, in XC racing, is ultimately measured in seconds.