Macca’s one of a kind Kestrel for IM World Championships ‘03

Macca’s one of a kind Kestrel for IM World Championships ‘03.  

 

Own and ride a piece of triathlon history or hang it as a one-of-a-kind piece of cycling artwork.  Your choice. Kestrel made this one-off all carbon Talon for 2- time Ironman World Champion Chris McCormack (Macca) to race in Kona in 2003. Bike manufacturers no longer make one-offs for their superstar clients, not even on Tadej’s Colnago for the TDF (they simply don’t paint his carbon frame). 

While Macca only finished 59th in 2003 (3rd on this bike in 4:39), that improved on his 2002 DNF and set him on his way to winning in Kona in 2007 (4th on the bike in 4:37) (after a 2nd overall in 2006 and a 6th overall in 2005).  He repeated his Kona win in 2010 (5th on the bike in 4:32).   So, Macca’s performance on this Kestrel showed that it was one of the fastest bikes in Kona, then and now.  Last year’s IM Kona winner had a 4:32 bike split, so this one-off Kestrel is still in good company. 

 

This Kestrel was hand-painted for Macca with a Kona theme at a cost of $1900.  The details in the artwork are incredible, tiki gods, sea turtles and more.  You won’t see another like it on the road or on anyone’s wall. 

All components were the lightest and best available in 2003 to allow Macca to get into contention to win at Kona.  Unfortunately, Macca’s run suffered that year and he was 115th with a 4:01 marathon time.  

 

Macca was the first man in history to ever win the ITU World Championships, the ITU World Cup series and be ranked number 1 in the World in a single season (1997). 

McCormack was undefeated in 2000-2002 for 3 years and 33 consecutive triathlon races

Macca won Ironman Australia 5 straight times from 2002-2006 and IM Roth 4 consecutive times, 2004-2007.

He went under 8 hours at Challenge Roth in 2004 (7:57:50), becoming the first non-European to do so. He did so again in 2005 (7:56:13) and 2007 (7:54:22). In 2008, Macca  broke the 8-hour mark at Ironman Frankfurt, becoming the first man to go under 8 hours on two different courses.

Macca won the 2012 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, his 4th World Championship and became triathlon’s oldest World Champion (at 39).

Macca has 16 IM wins, more than any other male triathlete. 

He owns one of the best athletic winning percentage statistics in modern sport (76%) and landed on the podium 89% of the time, a testament to his discipline and race-day execution.

 

This Kestrel was built for Macca by Nytro in Encinitas, California with Dura Ace, Cane Creek, ti and carbon everything. 

56 cm frame (Macca is 6′, I’m 5’10”)

Entire frame was hand painted with Hawaiian motifs, tiki gods, sea turtles, lava, etc. 

Profile carbon aerobars 

Wheels: now with Campagnolo Khamsin Asymmetric 700c Clinchers, 18/24 spokes

Dura Ace derailleurs, Cane Creek brake levers

9 speed 12-27 cassette

39-54 FSA chainring   

FSA carbon cranks   

Speedplay Zero pedals 

Seat is now a Selle Aspide carbon (retails $275+), lightest available at 125 grams

Bike is incredibly light at about 12 pounds without the wheels/tires or about 18.5 pounds w/wheels/tires.

 

I got this bike from Macca at 2004 Wildflower.  I previously had two of Macca’s prior Kestrel Talon’s (screaming yellow) which he raced and won dozens of races on.   

 

I got married in 2005 so my triathlon training/racing on this Kestrel became limited to Malibu Tri every year (2004-19) and enough training beforehand to not look too slow. I retired this bike in 2020; it didn’t get Covid, but I did.  The bike lasted longer than my marriage, oh well. 

 

Since this Kestrel hasn’t been ridden lately, it will need a maintenance check and servicing at your local bike shop.  While it’s never been crashed or dropped, due to the vintage of the carbon frame, it would be a good idea to have the entire carbon frame checked closely by an experienced bike mechanic for any issues with the carbon or anything else.  The tires may need replacing.    

Kestrel Factory Description:  When you’re racing against the clock, you’re going to want Kestrel’s Talon Tri to help you sink your claws into the competition. Its modular monocoque carbon frame features airfoil-shaped tubes, a rear-wheel cutout in the seat tube and internal cable routing for wind-cheating speed. Up front, Kestrel’s carbon fork smooths the road and lets you carve the corners with ease.

 

It’s time for a new home for this unique, light, fast, beautiful and historic bike.

Please contact me with any questions. 310.488.8154 or cmarkey@markeyplc.com.

 

The value of this Kestrel is priceless.  I’m asking $3333.00. Local pickup available in Los Angeles, CA or shipping can be arranged at buyer’s expense. 

 

In honor of Macca, a portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation and to Pho3nix, an international charity where Macca is the Executive Chairman and its mission is to inspire children across the globe to be active and enjoy the many benefits of sport.  

 

No Returns: Great care was taken to ensure that the bike has been described and photographed as precisely as possible. Please ask all questions before buying. Good luck.  Thank you.