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 |
Written by: Mitch Gulliver
Photos by: Dylan Forbes
classic guys
