Chris Kovarik with Summer of Summit

Dec 6, 2011

by Dylan Forbes.Mitch Gulliver.Justin Roy

Views: 170,124 Faves: 2,530 Comments: 183

Whenever we think of racing or mountain biking in general there are always a couple of guys who just stand out. Chris Kovarik was winning races in 1998, and has been doing so ever since. Over his long cycling career he's been the Australian Nation champ numerous times, has won World Cups and still holds the record for the largest winning margin in UCI DH history. (winning by over 14 seconds in 2002 on the Fort William DH track...Gnarly much?)

As of the 2011 season Chris and his wife Claire have added a new title to their cycling repertoire, Coach. Kovarik Racing is a way for the Kovarik's to pass on their knowledge of riding, racing, and of the cycling world that they've accumulated over the years. They provide private and semi-private coaching sessions which are tailored to each rider's needs as well as other options. Working out of Whistler, BC May through October and Australia (Gold Coast-Brisbane-Sunshine Coast areas) November through April really makes their program one of the more unique couching opportunities out there.

It was a natural progression for us to start coaching as riding really well is like a trade of ours by now and we felt, with all of our experience, we have a lot to teach others to improve their riding and racing. Coaching also helps us stay in the sport and actually make some sort of a living, while doing what we love. Kovarik Racing offers privates, semi-privates and our new Rider Development Program. - Claire Buchar, Kovarik Racing

While most of us are are in the middle of an inevitable off season these two are in Australia hard at work, training, racing and coaching.

Right now we are back in Australia for the off season, training and coaching. We will also be hitting up a few races here, some in conjunction with coaching athletes we sort of have under our wings. - Claire Buchar, Kovarik Racing

Even though Chris' schedule was pretty much booked all season we managed to swing a couple of clear days to break out the camera gear and do a little shooting. The Summer of Summit crew was more then happy to tear it up with the karver and put together a short video of some 100% shred!

The Kovariks have their 2012 season already lined up and booked! There is lots more racing and coaching to come from these two including the UCI World Camps in Austria!

Next season we will be hitting some key main races, mostly in North America as our budget is limited, and head on over to the World Champs in Leogang Austria. We have a whole bunch of coaching lined up, from Kovarik Racing to several camps with different companies and providers such as Zep Techniques, Summer Gravity Camps and Fluidride We have some other cool projects on the go, it will be a pretty busy season actually! - Claire Buchar, Kovarik Racing

www.SummerofSummit.com
www.KovarikRacing.com
www.Intensecycles.com
www.UnitRiders.com
www.fiveten.com
www.smithoptics.com
www.Nukeproof.com
www.clairebuchar.com
Written by: Mitch Gulliver
Photos by: Dylan Forbes

Posted In:
Chris Kovarik

Author Info:

summer-of-summit
Member since Apr 18, 2007
38 articles

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139 Comments

48 0

Cmontjumper (Dec 5, 2011 at 23:20)

GEEEZUS some of the craziest transfers ever! Kovarik blowing minds since '98

31 3

goxbigxorxgoxhome (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:46)

Ken Block ?? hahaha Kovarik owns you in drifting !!

Cmontjumper (Dec 6, 2011 at 6:24)

i think you responded to the wrong post lol. or the message was deleted haha

goxbigxorxgoxhome (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:21)

damn... yeah you're right ^^ i replied the wrong comment ^^

DARKSTAR63 (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:33)

That was completely badass.

kaibrabo (Dec 6, 2011 at 9:57)

i still cant believe he can still spin that bike..... i remember on Littermag, he 3'd a gap on his M6...

billy-smith (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:53)

he's a machine

jonnydh (Dec 6, 2011 at 11:04)

So many sick lines! The transfer onto b-line and back made me chuckle. So sick..

chyu (Dec 6, 2011 at 16:03)

Mr. and Mrs Shred.

rbreish (Dec 6, 2011 at 21:19)

these guys are BEAST!!! Shreddin the GNAR TO THE EXTREME!

Dchomey (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:26)

Hi my name is Chris "I make my own lines" Kovarik , and I can 3 a DH rig. That is all!!

rigodon777 (Dec 7, 2011 at 16:34)

Rode every trail he did during the video, and i'm not shy to say I was around half of speed. GOD DAMN! You guys don't realize that transfer from b-line to schleyer is SKETCHY as hell. I was with mitch gulliver and he was talking about hitting it, we scoped it out and NEVER was I going to hit that!

Samparry (Dec 9, 2011 at 16:48)

Amazing video! Also, Whistler noob here. but what time in the video is this transfer you guys are talking about?

30 1

Downhill-Disaster (Dec 6, 2011 at 0:23)

Kovaric and Lamb of God together is too good to be true! Some amazing riding. Most ppl can't drift that well on motorized vehicles.

18 3

pasqual (Dec 6, 2011 at 1:58)

yep, happy to see hear some decent music background after a longer time

cougar797 (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:49)

I got stoked as soon as "In your words" started playing. And yep, Kovarik is the original auzzie bad ass.

Davidt89 (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:47)

@the-real-me "in your words"??..seriously??

cougar797 (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:00)

sorry, just got finished listening to that song. Redneck sorry. Its been one of those mornings. God that's embarrassing.

adam-mitchell (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:45)

Who doesn't love a bit of Lamb Of God
+Kovarik's so damn creative and fast!

Twike (Dec 6, 2011 at 15:22)

Kovarik is the Vinnie Jones of mountain biking

MXRacer58 (Dec 7, 2011 at 14:01)

accidentaly hit pos props on in your words. Oh well Lamb of God no less \m/

cougar797 (Dec 7, 2011 at 14:22)

I know, that was a rough morning and I had just finished listening to "In your words" when I was typing the comment. I offer my most sincere apologies and return the props to you.

angrynipples (Dec 12, 2011 at 23:13)

OOMERRRRRTAAAAAAA!!

hollowing2000 (Dec 6, 2011 at 1:32)

When i think of Kovarik, another name comes into mind - Vories... i think both of them have very fluid styles of riding but Kovarik has a tad more speed i think

classic guys

11 3

ihartmybike (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:56)

Hey Chris, you'd be even cooler if you wore a helmet all the time.

nouser (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:03)

that 360 was fucking dirtyyyyy !!!!!! soooo sick !

brad79 (Dec 6, 2011 at 15:42)

Sooooooo, I loved this edit and I think Kovarik is the man. He has been shredding for years and is always fun to watch. My problem with this video (and I am sure I am going to get all sorts of neg props for this) is the music. I do not have anything against metal, but I really have a problem when the language used in the music is so graphic that it prevents me form being able to watch these vids with my 5 year old son. I know I sound like an old stick in the mud, but maybe there should be some type of parental warning when the edits contain sound tracks that are not suitable for young kids? Thoughts????

nhmic (Dec 6, 2011 at 21:09)

Hit mute bro

bigburd (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:52)

Well swearing is nothing new in videos in pink bike , a third of the edits out there have rap with heavy swearing and racist words through out , if I was gonna show my 5 y/o kid a video on here I would watch it 1st.
But yeah a little warning of foul language on front page vids would not be out of place.

brad79 (Dec 17, 2011 at 10:35)

Thanks for the words of wisdom guys, never would have thought of either one of those suggestions! The point I was trying to make was that some type of rating system would be an asset so I don't have to pre screen media that I really shouldn't have to worry about. Why is it neccessary to foul an otherwise wholesome (relatively) pass time with music that contains more profanity than a gangster movie anyway?

woollahra (Dec 6, 2011 at 0:31)

Hows that drift and that triple on original sin , man oh fing man ! His section in super8 still to this day is my favourite section on film ever . I scored a ti spring of the guy the other day , Legend !!!!

LCobb (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:38)

Yeah that super 8 section was ridiculous!!!! so was this video..

kram (Dec 6, 2011 at 12:11)

Do you mean the triple over the rocks on No Joke, after the close up drift? Amazing. I hate that I always slow down there so that I don't over clear the first landing, but it would be so much better to pick up the pace and hit the second landing like that. I'm afraid of the speed that you would have charging into the next corner more than anything, but as usual Kovarik makes it look easy.

woollahra (Dec 7, 2011 at 1:26)

Thats the one , there is a nice big tree you have too turn for at the end . I was doubling into it , but triple , thats crazy i have seen it done only once before . I get the trail names mixed ,, was there two years ago .

lenmerderdenfer (Dec 6, 2011 at 1:01)

This is some of the (sic.) est DH'in I've seen in a while! Make it last longer! Awesome stuff. Encore!

luis-beri (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:13)

amazing riding...
Lamb Of God!! \m/ (not that usual tsuu tsuu tssu tssu :s )

boulder174 (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:06)

Great vid and music! finally!!

denis80 (Dec 6, 2011 at 16:47)

I want to see more videos like this! Really, all these usual slow-mo videos and tecno music sucks.

justincs (Dec 9, 2011 at 22:25)

couldn't agree more.....

drbong-mrhash (Dec 11, 2011 at 11:29)

i wouldnt say that slow mo and tech sucks, id ust say there should be a healthyer blend of more fast past and burly riding with the medal music pumping

justincs (Dec 11, 2011 at 12:02)

They should save the techno for the matching vids ( techno+hipsters ) you know, crap with crap....it's so simple!!! Why do you say " i " when you lovebirds mean " we " ???

drbong-mrhash (Dec 19, 2011 at 6:27)

dude your so funny! btw way your chirps suck just as much as you do at biking.. so feel it

justincs (Dec 19, 2011 at 20:38)

it says on your profile 31, is that your age in dog years or your combined IQ ???

drbong-mrhash (Jan 9, 2012 at 7:15)

kid take a rest, go breast feed or something

justincs (Jan 9, 2012 at 18:22)

hey if you're offering, i have nothing against a couple gearboxes!!!

chalky (Dec 6, 2011 at 2:37)

Kovarik - biggest calve muscles in the world.

bigburd (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:54)

He lost that title in some Dirt.TV " biggest calfs " filler video they made

euan-thomson (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:43)

nothing has made me want to go back to riding flat pedals on my dh bike more than watching that video.

MarkSteffens (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:47)

Did some mellow laps with Chris this year in Whistler, I think it takes a stopwatch or a video camera for him to unleash! Sick video, great guy.

a0metal0edgeaaron (Dec 6, 2011 at 13:48)

(insert jaw drop face here) :0
Holy crap!
I am amazed!
............ I dont know what else to say.
I'm going to watch that again.........
(jaw drop face still there) :0

norcalrider16 (Dec 6, 2011 at 0:28)

VOD

bikeski95 (Dec 6, 2011 at 2:31)

this needs to be VOD.

cunharider (Dec 6, 2011 at 14:13)

so nice films where all the people riding and training hard and me at home looking to my bike waiting for the full heal of my arm....... SHITTTTT

portable (Dec 6, 2011 at 18:46)

I want to book some coaching for next year, as a flat pedal rider, dont think there would be any better Pro to pick up some pointers..

evolve (Dec 6, 2011 at 0:17)

Fuck Yes.

Solman (Dec 6, 2011 at 0:57)

I think my mates saw him shredding the Scott 24hr race in Canberra this year. All round pinner.

jrmnatan (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:09)

oh yeah!!!avec une toune de lanb of god.......il était temps ...big rider

tom-barnett (Dec 6, 2011 at 11:33)

most of this is whistler bike park but I don't recognise the hip at 1.12. anyone know where it is?

nouser (Dec 6, 2011 at 12:18)

LAMB OF FUCKING GOD - REDNECK! Most awesome song in the whole world!

cloaked (Dec 6, 2011 at 17:52)

Does anyone else just want an Anthill Movie called "Kovarik"?

nhmic (Dec 6, 2011 at 21:13)

Def needs to be more metal in mtb videos. Prime example here.

Iloper (Dec 7, 2011 at 11:01)

AWESOME. NOW WHAT MR. Kovarik?? This is too extreme for the videos to follow after this one!

michael-douven (Dec 6, 2011 at 0:37)

what a beast he is. I feel bad for his bike

dhowie (Dec 6, 2011 at 1:25)

Kovarik, man myth flack in legend on a bike!

hope he hits up more world cups!

nikifor88 FL (Dec 6, 2011 at 3:28)

filming, music, climate reminded me double down/third down. and kovarik rocks!

redrook (Dec 6, 2011 at 3:50)

Wow, I've never seen Whistler ridden like that!

Matt-W (Dec 6, 2011 at 9:53)

People do these transfers every day. The drifting is top class though.

redrook (Dec 7, 2011 at 2:08)

Wasn't talking about the transfers mate.

bigburd (Dec 7, 2011 at 8:56)

Yeah most in vids of whistler the riders appear to be cruising at speed if you know what I mean ? He's actually hurting the tracks he's riding so fast

thestigmk1 (Dec 6, 2011 at 11:22)

according to this video...I really don't know how to ride a bike at all!

kfitz (Dec 6, 2011 at 18:09)

thank god for that! I was about to give up hope on listening to mtb videos!

flatlandgod (Dec 6, 2011 at 19:17)

About time they started putting some good music in videos!!! Awesome riding

garthm (Dec 6, 2011 at 19:29)

Wow for a second there i thought the camera guy just lost him in the video, he didnt... chris just broke the speed of light

jgottya1 (Dec 7, 2011 at 6:25)

CK still rocking the dirt !! Great to see it !! I'll be cheering for ya next season !

lightningskull (Dec 8, 2011 at 18:20)

I had to watch it twice to be sure it was real. Solid riding style, talk about pinned and fully committed.

berknoid (Dec 16, 2011 at 14:57)

holly crap man :O That was one of the most intense videos iv seen on pink bike

DRASTIC (Dec 6, 2011 at 1:16)

holy shit at that drift @ :38

sh0rt3us85 (Dec 6, 2011 at 1:53)

complete shredder!!!!!!!!!! thas all i got

shoshi (Dec 6, 2011 at 2:30)

This is the shit! Absolutely nuts...

MikeBigHitTopperz (Dec 6, 2011 at 4:43)

Music matches the riding, crazy!!

DSlayer91 (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:51)

\m/

Czauder1 (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:16)

looks like modern Chain Reaction

Jooken (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:58)

Chris Kovarik, Redneck. Fuck yeah. Best Video for a long time! so stoked.

ramizdh (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:32)

he use spd or common pedals?

principledchiro (Dec 6, 2011 at 11:42)

its just not the same when he's not on a GT Lobo

pitchcomp08 (Dec 6, 2011 at 15:44)

added to my favorites before the video was over

SwintOrSlude (Dec 6, 2011 at 0:51)

BRUTAL

GAZZAFAEDOOGLAS (Dec 6, 2011 at 2:13)

a crackin vid......and a sweet soundtrack.........!

louis2468routier (Dec 6, 2011 at 3:40)

F**cking Badass!!! That is all.

Lordofdogtown (Dec 6, 2011 at 3:46)

one of my favourite riders

jaybird951 (Dec 6, 2011 at 4:57)

damn........................

GermanyFreeride (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:09)

Intense: My 4th favourite bike brand.

EddyDave (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:34)

What... I don't even.

KillingtonVT (Dec 6, 2011 at 6:39)

Some of the rowdiest riding I've seen from Whist... so SICK!!!

muchentuchen (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:01)

Kovarik always works well with metal music. Such a joy to watch.

alparabraham (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:15)

always was my favorit rider

lenmerderdenfer (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:15)

Get your devil horns up! Way up, in the air! Thanks Chris!

pedalmetal (Dec 6, 2011 at 9:29)

Got me stoked! F-Yeah! That boy got some handles. Very moto.

toulioss (Dec 6, 2011 at 9:33)

its like Jamie Lynn on a dh bike..........Freestyle DH, yeahhhhhhhh !!!!!

dragonsback79 (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:31)

That's just not right...fuggin INSANE!

badburke (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:38)

The boneless on the wall was cool!

ilovefreeride (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:52)

WOW that was insane sick riding, short vid but still sweet......

PedalShopLLC (Dec 6, 2011 at 11:48)

love the drifting into the corners --

ScaryGerry (Dec 6, 2011 at 12:26)

He needs to attends anger management classes that was crazy!

DBomberMan (Dec 6, 2011 at 13:40)

that first drift was so beast.

thecrazyfrenchman (Dec 6, 2011 at 13:47)

Great video... And finally music I actually like!

woodline (Dec 6, 2011 at 14:01)

nice video!! sick riding, but the music could be better!

akosituper (Dec 6, 2011 at 16:07)

HEY KOVARIK!........ARE YOU A NINJA?

denis80 (Dec 6, 2011 at 16:48)

Does anyone have the video from his race run in 2002 Fort William?

JimLad (Dec 6, 2011 at 19:55)

He just tore the park a new one

Nikolais (Dec 6, 2011 at 22:39)

Kovarik.... Always 'Foot Out, Flat Out!!!'

gnarbar (Dec 7, 2011 at 20:42)

the man. the beast. the legend. nasty riding style !!!

TYNT (Dec 12, 2011 at 21:46)

He should set the record for longest drift... And amazing edit.

nouser (Dec 6, 2011 at 4:13)

wow...

kylecp1 (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:03)

true....true

nouser (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:19)

S.I.C.K!

desjardins98 (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:57)

Bad ass!

drjlorber (Dec 6, 2011 at 12:22)

WOW!!!

punkszar (Dec 6, 2011 at 12:31)

Rambo on mountainbike

Vincent-d (Dec 6, 2011 at 18:20)

Fucking insane

LeSueur (Dec 6, 2011 at 5:35)

so metal

machaut FL (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:06)

I got a half chub!

drbong-mrhash (Dec 11, 2011 at 11:31)

lmao im full!

MedellinColombiaDH (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:46)

Now ur talking!

octalex1 (Dec 6, 2011 at 8:16)

this guy is a boss

ay0z3 (Dec 6, 2011 at 11:45)

He is not a boss, he is THE BOSS!!!

reecewallace (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:55)

Pretty fricken gnarly.

nouser (Dec 6, 2011 at 12:20)

motocross style drifting there... he's in the wrong industry

DJracer73 (Dec 6, 2011 at 18:20)

So Bad Ass!!!

niesen-ranger (Dec 11, 2011 at 8:06)

Excellent!!

Below threshold threads are hidden

HorNyOne (Dec 6, 2011 at 7:12)

the music sucks, but the video itself is one of the bests i`ve seen in a while........

I`m tired of slow mo perfect shot DH videos...... this is less boring!!

garethjudson (Dec 6, 2011 at 9:32) (Below Threshold)

correct the music was really shit.

3 10

rhiwfawrdirt (Dec 6, 2011 at 10:18) (Below Threshold)

+1 on that, that music is for when u want to slit your wrists

dirtjumper771 (Dec 6, 2011 at 11:26)

nah man, lamb of god is sick, and no, i dont slit my wrists.

a0metal0edgeaaron (Dec 6, 2011 at 13:50)

Music is sick! I'm tired of all that crappy indie junk. And dirtjumper771 is right, no wrist slitting here. Just AMPING UP!

bawzofsteel (Dec 6, 2011 at 13:59)

"that music is for when u want to slit your wrists" rhiwfawrdirt, you're a roady, your argument is invalid. Epic video. Epic tune.