Ambassadors
#INTENSEFORLIFE
Intense Cycles has a long history of working with athletes who are bold and passionate, and who inspire others to reach their highest potential. Not only are our brand ambassadors talented and accomplished, they embody our brand, and define what it means to be “Intense”.
CHRIS KOVARIK
“The Karver” is a multi-time Aussie National Champ and World Cup winner. He has been part of the Intense family for nearly 20 years. Since the early days when he was an up-and-coming young Aussie living in the Stebers’ basement, to the years of success on the World stage (when he set the record for widest gap between 1st and 2nd place at Fort William (over 14 seconds), to his current role as a coach and mentor with Kovarik Racing, Chris has personified the brand in every stage of his long career. He is truly Intense for Life.
CLAIRE BUCHAR
Claire is a World Championship Bronze Medalist, multiple Canadian National Champion, 12- time Canadian National Team Member and has been to all corners of the globe racing, riding and adventuring on her bike. But that’s not what makes Claire an invaluable member of our Family. Together with Chris Kovarik, Claire has helped build future generations of mtb enthusiasts and racers by coaching and mentoring young kids in the sport. Claire is also a regular at women's events and encourages people of all ages, shapes and sizes to experience the thrill of mountain biking.
CONOR MACFARLANE
Conor made a global name for himself at the 2016 Redbull Rampage and was awarded the Kelly McGarry Spirit Award. Based in Queenstown New Zealand, Conor rides a mix of big mountain trail adventures to smashing out DH runs at the Skyline bike park.
MIKE SLEETER
When your job and passion is everything two wheels, you keep sending it. Just about any given day of the week, you can find KTM’s Mike Sleeter putting in laps aboard a wide range of test bikes, as he works in the R&D department of the
Austrian brand’s motocross line. Sleeter retired from professional racing back in 2009, but never got off the bike… literally. He and the rest of the R&D department are constantly working on and testing bikes, whether it be on the
track or in the shop, and the “work” continued at the 2017 Red Bull Straight Rhythm. Now, testing and R&D with Intense Cycles, USA.
CHASE SEXTON
Most exciting win: 2016 lorettas when I won that open pro sport title and was picked for the horizon award
Favorite race/venue? Redbud because its my home race
Other hobbies other than cycling: golfing and fishing
Favorite athlete from any sport: Russell Westbrook
Definition of success: achieving the goals you have made
How did you make it where you are today? Hard work and dedication. Also believing in myself & never giving up
Most influential person in your career: My dad. He’s at the track with me every day and is always pushing me to my limits.
Current vehicle: 2016 Chevy Colorado
Favorite music: Country & punk rock
Favorite movie: 4 minute mile
Favorite TV show: The 70’s show
Favorite quote: you miss 100% of the shots you didn’t take
CHRISTIAN CRAIG
Most exciting win: Glendale SX in 2016
Favorite race/venue? University of Phoenix stadium because that’s where I had my first win
Other hobbies other than cycling: Golf
Favorite athlete from any sport: Jordan Spieth
Definition of success: winning of course but overall, making my family proud would be the highest success
How did you make it where you are today? With a will to never give up on your dreams
Most influential person in your career: Hard to pick just one person because there’s been different people in different chapters of my career but id say my son because he’s the reason I came back racing after taking 2 years off.
Current vehicle: Honda Ridgline
Favorite music: Country
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite TV show: Animal Kingdom
Favorite quote: a river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence.