How long have you been a professional rider, and what is the key to longevity in this sport?Since 1998, damn those were some good times! The key these days is obviously social media but also being creative, for example for us becoming coaches has helped our longevity but also it's something that will keep us recognised in the future.
What does a riding career entail these days? How has it changed since you started?These days, again social media, whether you're a rider or a racer that's part of the deal. If you're a racer there's a lot of hard work that goes into training on top of the social media. Back when I first started we never used to train, we just rode a lot for fun, we could just rock up to a race and do well. We never had phones that could take pictures so getting a picture in a mountain bike magazine or shooting a video once a year was the best social media we got.
Was it difficult to adapt to these changes? Do you prefer the new model to the previous?It hasn't been difficult it's just a work in progress, you learn to adapt along the way, it never stops. I like the new model as it's more efficient for everyone.
What type of personal sacrifice is involved with becoming a professional rider?Well, there's going to be travel involved so I guess being apart from friends and family, but we also put our lives on the line. Whether it be racing against the clock or going bigger than the next guy, there are going to be crashes and injuries. It's part of progression and the competitive nature of the sport. In saying that, with anything you want to succeed at there's always a sacrifice, you've got to put your head down and work hard at it, that's just how it goes.
What type of advice would you offer to the younger generation of riders?Learn to fix your own bike, don't talk back, respect your elders, pick your clothes up, keep away from young Jimmy as he's a bad influence. If you use my tools put them back, get off your phone, if you're not home by dark I'm taking your bike away, wash the dishes, I said wash the dishes punk!
How does the Kovarik Racing program work?It's a program where we can mentor and coach talented young riders we've selected that we think have potential in the sport to learn the ropes of racing.
We supply our riders with bikes and race gear from our sponsors, we have a budget for each race or event so we try and help as much as we can so that they can focus on their goals.
Our riders pit with us at each event, we all walk the track together, then we will do a few runs together to make sure everyone's comfortable. If they need to dial in their bikes I will work with them whether it be changing tires or suspension issues etc. We make sure our riders are focused but also to have fun with it.
Each event we have our team rider Noah which is an up and coming filmmaker so he makes a team edit from each race, this is important for our social media and sponsors, it also shows our rider's talent and progress along the way.
We encourage our riders to be on top of their social media as that's part of becoming a professional rider in the sport. It helps give back to your sponsors. Thanks to Intense, Maxxis, Magura, Fox Racing Shox, DT Swiss, FiveTen, Fox, Chromag, Smith Optics, Unior Tools, Clif Bar, Chunked, Evolution Whistler, and E Thirteen.
Our RD team is like having your foot in the door, we are helping these riders take the first step to becoming a professional racer or rider, the next step is up to them and I hope that they can take some knowledge from us to help when they walk thru that door.
MENTIONS: @influxproductions
www.hoonigan.com/hm210katp-kill-all-tires-pantone-ss-tee.html
My boy doing his best Carver impression at 8 years old www.bikeparkphotos.com/-/galleries/bike-park-photos/2015-bike-park-photos/race-and-event-photos/0810kidsworx/-/medias/d6102186-1cff-412e-92c8-d5cbf77681ed
www.tomjstokes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tire-comparison.jpg
A man, a purpose!!! Destruction!!
I think he drifts so much, because in a straight line his wheels implode.
Also, most massive anchor on earth...his calves. Hard to high side with those melons.