Her wins this year include the New Zealand time trial national championship as well the opening stage and the overall classification at Trofeo Ponente in Rosa. She was recently named to the New Zealand Olympic squad for both the road race and time trial. And now she has extended her contract with EF Education-Cannondale.

In just her second full season as a pro racer, Kim has already exceeded not only her personal expectations for growth but also those of the team.

“I’m developing a lot faster than I thought I would, especially compared to last year,” she said. “I’m amazed at how quickly things are happening. In terms of bike handling and technique, I’ve grown a lot. I’ve learned about how to race in the peloton, about riding, nutrition, recovery, and training. The team is really good at giving us the knowledge behind why we do what we do. I really trust in the team’s plan for me and my development.”

Kim attributes that growth in part to the team environment.

“What’s awesome about this team is the group that’s around me at dinner. We have a laugh at the table, we have a laugh on the bike, we have a laugh at the races. It’s like having a big group of sisters around. We always back each other and we expect each other to do their best, but whatever happens, we’re always there to support each other which makes it easier for me to race and train my hardest,” she said.

Working with general manager Esra Tromp has been the icing on the cake for Kim.

“She’s known me for a couple of years now,” Kim said. “I really didn’t know if I wanted to keep racing before this season. Esra was the one who took me on and gave me a second chance. Now that I’ve had this opportunity to race with EF Education-Cannondale, I realize how much I love it. I’m so thankful she brought me here.”

In Kim, Esra immediately recognized an ambitious athlete who was still rough around the edges.

“When I first met Kim, she was extremely new to the sport and had only done some small races,” Esra said. “I saw a really ambitious rider who wanted to discover herself on the bike, which was really exciting to me. There are two basic, but essential qualities in a successful rider: the ability to work hard and her physical capabilities. Kim had both. We knew that from there, she could learn and develop.”

Since the winter, Kim has consistently dedicated time to working on bike handling, cornering, and other technical aspects of navigating the peloton. Esra commends Kim on her growth.

“This year, Kim has already made a big step. I see her growing as an athlete. She is already more comfortable in the bunch. She still has room to grow but she can now think about tactics while she’s in the thick of a race so that’s a really big step. She’s grown a lot as a person. Kim wants to succeed and she’s ready to invest in her own career,” Esra said.

Looking back, Kim knows she has already come a long way from just a few years ago when she casually did a handful of triathlons before turning her energy exclusively to riding. And while she’s thrilled with her progress, she doesn’t plan to rest on her laurels.

“I want to keep going how I’ve been going! I don’t want to change anything and that is exactly why I’ve re-signed with the team. I just keep focusing on my technique, my training, and learning and I think results will come from that. I want to learn how to be a GC rider in the future and learn how to better cope with fatigue. I think I’m only going to continue to grow by staying with the team,” she said.

We think so, too, Kim!