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Chris Kovarik (born 1 March 1978, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia), is an Australian professional racing cyclist specialising in downhill mountain biking and four cross mountain bike racing. He is a multiple Australian national champion and multiple World Cup winner.
External linksCycling career
Kovarik started competitive cycling when he was 17 years old and has been a member of the Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense Cycle's MTB Race team [1] since its creation in 2008. Kovarik was joined by fellow Intense rider Finland's Matti Lehikoinen for the 2010 race season.
In 2004, Kovarik shattered his ankle, broke the tibia on the same leg and spent 4½ months with a metal cage around his leg, leading to 7 months off the bike and missing the 2004 World Cup/Championship season. At the time, doctors had said that he may never ride again, however, he went on to place 5th in the World Championships in New Zealand in 2005.
In 2008 Kovarik married team mate and fellow downhill mountain Bike rider, Canadian Claire Buchar.
Chris won the Australian National Downhill Championships in January 2010 at the SRAM Corporation Australian Mountain Bike Championships in Adelaide.[2]
Kovarik's career highlights include
2006 - 1st World Cup : Mont Saint Anne [3]
2005 - 5th World Championships : New Zealand [4]
2002 - 1st World Cup : Fort William (won by 14 secs)
2002 - Australian National Champ
2001 - Australian National Champ
2000 - Australian National Champ