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Pro Bike Check: Thomas Lapeyrie’s Team SUNN Kern LT

Thomas Lapeyrie has been representing the SUNN Enduro Team alongside Kilian Bron and has been consistently in the top 20 throughout the season with a highlight of 5th place in Samoens and rounding the season off with an 18th place in Finale. The bike he has been piloting on the EWS stages this year is a SUNN Kern and we got the opportunity to have an up close and personal look at his race ready bike before it took to the stages on race day.

The Team Kern is a great looking bike and weighs in around 12.7kg, time for a closer look!
The Team Kern is a great looking bike and weighs in around 12.7kg, time for a closer look!
First up is the fork, Thomas runs a Rockshox Pike RCT3.
First up is the fork, Thomas runs a Rockshox Pike RCT3.
On the back is a Rockshox Monarch Plus RC3 with 160mm of plush travel.
On the back is a Rockshox Monarch Plus RC3 with 160mm of plush travel.
The Kern has some neat solutions to cable routing.
The Kern has some neat solutions to cable routing.
Thomas opted for the bag-less approach to racing the rough stages of Finale, instead carrying spares strapped to his frame.
Thomas opted for the bag-less approach to racing the rough stages of Finale, instead carrying spares strapped to his frame.
The cockpit is decked out with RaceFace components, a set of SIXC bars keep Thomas on track.
The cockpit is decked out with RaceFace components, a set of SIXC bars keep Thomas on track.
The SIXC bars are then anchored to an Atlas stem to keep things nimble and responsive.
The SIXC bars are then anchored to an Atlas stem to keep things nimble and responsive.
The drive train is fully kited out in SRAM XX1 with an E*13 TRS+ guide for extra security. Note the cable tie over the clamp to stop it popping open on rough terrain.
The drive train is fully kited out in SRAM XX1 with an E*13 TRS+ guide for extra security. Note the cable tie over the clamp to stop it popping open on rough terrain.
The 1X11 drive train has plenty of range for Thomas to spin on liaisons and race stages flat out.
The 1X11 drive train has plenty of range for Thomas to spin on liaisons and race stages flat out.
The Kern rolls on a pair of SRAM Roam wheels.
The Kern rolls on a pair of SRAM Roam 50 wheels.
Thomas mixes Hutchinson's Toro and Squale tyres.
Thomas mixes Hutchinson’s Toro and Squale tyres depending on conditions.
SRAM Guides give Thomas the stopping power using a pair of 180mm rotors.
SRAM Guides give Thomas the stopping power using a pair of 180mm rotors.
Thomas and the Kern in action on stage 4, 'Men's Downhill'.
Thomas and the Kern in action on stage 4, ‘Men’s Downhill’.

Words & Photos: Ross Bell

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