ms-racing intense factory NEWS

In the chaos of a new generation, one rider named Sam Hill has ade a statement by winning the World Championships and theWorld CUp overall in the same season, but more than just race resultshis influence on the sport will run deep for many years. With every top rider pushing harder and faster than ever before, The Law of Fives captures each aspect of this incredible race season, but when the clock has stopeed running the hungry young guns keep pushing their limits just for the camera, and in a last effort to understand Sam Hil's incredible skill he is put to test the 1.04 Dirt Magazine private track.

The Law of Fives states simply that: all things happen in fives, or are divisible by or are multiples of five, or are seomhow directly or indirectly appropriate to 5.

click here to order the DVD.

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It is a big honor to have all the interest and media coverage all over the world. Amidst all the TV spots and print media appearance it is something special to get the interest of a men magazine like the “Penthouse” magazine.

If you don’t have a subscription check out page 6 and 7 of the November edition at newspaper kiosk of your confidence.

As Katsu Sera, Japanese distributor for Intense Cycles, announced Mio Suemasa won the finals of the Japanes DH series with 1 minute in lead. Stay tuned for information.

As the first sign of snow starts to arrive in Finland, and 23 days after his serious crash, Matti Lehikoinen is making excellent progress. After a series of weekly x-rays, the doctors have said all is looking very positive and the vertebrae are well stabilized. There is a small compression in one of them, but this is inoperable and not serious in nature.

Matti is walking around the house and has basic mobility, and is able to stand up for 30 minutes at a time without problem, and is now only taking pain killers at night to help sleep. This is a pretty impressive recovery rate to this point and a great relief to all of his family and friends.

photo: www.23degrees-sports.com

Today Matti was interviewed by Finnish TV, and together with the leading newspaper in Helsinki, his story has become one of national media interest as he continues to progress with great positivity.

Also released today are the first photos of his accident. We have agreed with Matti to post these on the 23 Degrees web site, not for any shock value, but to give a better understanding of how this accident happened. There are also photos of his Lazer helmet showing the important role it played in preserving Matti's head.

"I really feel the difference every day. Last Sunday was probably one of my worst days, fighting the boredom and also trying to kick the pain killers, but since then, each day I have felt the progress. For example, today is the first day I have been able to cough without severe pain. And as for sneezing, I have sneezed twice since the accident and you just don't wanna know what that was like. Normally you never remember sneezing, but those two bastards will stay with me forever. I will start working with my new Intense team on projects for next year which will help the time fly by," said Matti today from home as the forecast shows snow arriving Friday, and the start of the long Nordic winter and a recovery that Matti hopes will see him back at World Cup 1, next May in Maribor, picking up where he left off.

Photos at: www.23degrees-sports.com/news

Matti on the road to recovery:

photo: Jorma Lehikoinen

The doctors have confirmed that Matti will not need an operation to stabilise the fractured vertebrae. This is great news for Matti who has been dreading the idea of a major operation.

Due to the position of the breaks (no.4 has one fracture and no.5 has two fractures), it would have meant operating from the front, going in through the chest cavity, which is obviously a much more delicate and complicated operation. The doctors have confirmed there are no floating bones pieces, which is also good news. However, they have said that should the vertebrae shift in position, they will need to review the matter.

"Obviously I have to keep my back straight and not bend forward or do anything to risk the movement of the vertebrae. Yesterday I was vomiting from the painkillers and it was the most painful puke ever! I had to keep my back straight and it was pretty bad, but last night was my first full night of sleep, so things are getting better," said Matti this morning.

It is anticipated that Matti will be transfered from hospital in the coming days to a recovery and rehabilitation centre.

Matti has been overwhelmed by the number of messages and well wishes. This morning Matti received a call from former Downhill World Champion, Vanessa Quin, who called form New Zealand. This meant a lot to Matti as Vanessa has had more than her fair share of neck/spinal injuries and was able to give Matti some very reassuring words.

MS INTENSE FACTORY RACING confirm the signing of Matti Lehikoinen for a multi-year deal, starting for season 2008.

After years of working with great riders like Chris Kovarik, Sabrina Jonnier or Vanessa Quin it is time for MS- INTENSE RACING to form a new team with a new figurehead to continue the successful racing history of Intense Cycles.

Now it is time to make history again and Matti is the right person for this big assignment.

Three days after signing with his new team, MS INTENSE FACTORY RACING, Matti had a serious accident when filming with a friend in Helsinki. The accident resulted in breaking three vertebras.
The team wishes Matti a fast recovery and is in constant contact to monitor his progress. The team is looking forward seeing him back on the bike again in the coming months.

His outstanding biking skills, his technical knowledge and his professional attitude make him one of the best young racers and we are looking forward working with him. Riding for great teams like G Cross Honda he showed his potential and he will lead MS Intense Racing into a successful future. Our long-term partners Intense Cycles, Manitou, Intense Tires and Shimano are welcoming the new team member.

Statement of Martin Whiteley: " In the last two years, Matti has grown as a professional rider. Originally brought into Team G Cross Honda as the "junior" rider, Matti quickly progressed and has proven over the last 12 months that he is now ready to be a lead rider in his own team. It's a natural progression from being the 2nd rider to lead, and this move from Team G cross Honda to MS Intense makes perfect sense for Matti, who is excited at the prospect of helping the team steer towards future consistent successes...
Martin Whiteley, 23 Degrees Sports Management

Statement of Jeff Steber: We are really excited to have Matti on board next season. His talent as a racer, focus and personality will be an asset to the MS Intense Racing program. The combination of Matti's strong race performances and new product line-up for 2008 will take the race program to the next level.
Jeff Steber , President , Designer,Intense Cycles

Written by 23 Degrees
The latest news is all good news as Matti ends his 2nd day in hospital. The doctors have confirmed that there is no risk of paralysis and that a decision on whether or not to operate, will be taken on Monday.

Today Matti had his catheter removed, was able to sit up for a small time and eat, and with the assistance of a special walking crutch/frame, was able to walk(!) a short distance to the bathroom.

Matti had a non-stop run of visitors today during visitor hours, starting with his parents, followed by dozens of friends. His mobile phone was handed back, and it had more than 100 SMS messages from the past 24 hours. All of this is helping Matti remain positive and determined to get back on his feet properly.

While talking to Matti today, more details came to light about the accident.

"I landed directly onto my head, but slightly to the right. The helmet is marked on the top at the right. Also I have a big skin abrasion on my right collarbone where the jawline of the helmet cut me, that's how far over my head was. The doctors feel that on impact my spine twisted one way, and then the next, like a zig zag, and they say it's a miracle it's not a lot worse. The three vertebrae have what they call a compressed fracture. They are in the area of the spine that are level with the chest. I'm still in pain but can breathe fairly comfortably, but I want to thank everyone who has contacted me with nice messages, it makes you realise how lucky you are to have so many friends and people that care, and that makes me want to get better as soon as possible."

The doctors are predicting that with or without the operation, Matti will remain hospitalised for another 2 or 3 weeks, then start 3 months of rehabilitation. It will be a further couple of months before he can expect to put any regular athletic demands on his back again.

We hope to have another update on Monday.

Original PR below...

While training and filming with a friend in Helsinki yesterday, Matti
Lehikoinen had an accident that resulted in breaking his back.

Matti was immediately transferred to hospital where a series of scans have
confirmed 3 fractured vertabrae.

He has movemovent in all limbs and is not feeling any numbness, and so at
this point, the prognosis for a full recovery is looking very good. The
doctors are meeting today to decide what the next step will be, insofar as
an operation or other courses of action.

"I spoke to Matti for 10 minutes this morning. He's in a lot of pain, but he
is remaining completely positive. He told me that he went to go off a very
small drop off, about a meter high, on his home trails when something caught
his rear wheel just as his front wheel left the drop off. The bike pitched
suddenly forward and threw him over the handlebars onto his back. He knew
immediately that he had suffered a severe injury, and remained still as his
mate called for the ambulance. Right now all we can do is wait for more
information from the medical experts, and support Matti, and his family who
have been very shocked by this news," - Martin Whiteley.

Poeple wishing to send Matti a message can do so through his web site
www.mattilehikoinen.com and we know he will really appreciate hearing from
everyone once he can have access to his phone and computer again, but for
now, the focus is on keeping him comfortable, and getting the prognosis we
all want to hear.

The MS- RACING crew wishes you a quick recovery- get well soon buddy!

World record shattered! Speed biking on snow at 210 km/h.

Austria’s Markus Stoeckl, 33, set a new world record at the weekend for series mountain bikes on a renovated high-speed La Parva run in the Chile’s Alps when he hit a speed of 210.4 km/h (130.7 mph). He shattered an eight-year-old record by an incredible 23 km/h (14 mph).

photo: Stefan Stau/ sports and news

For years there was little news to report about speedbikes on snow, the world’s fastest vehicles without propulsion. In the 1990s, there had been a number of classic, unforgettable duels between two Frenchmen, Eric Baronè und Christian Taillefer, who set a series world speed records as they sped down the French Alps clad in rubber suits and aerodynamic helmets with spoilers attached to their bodies while riding on futuristic speeding projectiles that had only a faint resemblance to bicycles. The only other racer who came even close to keeping up with the French duo was a young man from Kitzbühel, Markus Stoeckl. Because he could not afford an expensive prototype at the time, he rode in the series bike class and managed to set a world record in that category at 187.013 km/h at Les Arches in 1999. Eric Baronè’s record in the prototype class of 222 km/h had stood since it was set at the same time.
After that, interest in France dropped off, as Markus Stoeckl explains: no races, no championships, no runs. Since then, the giant nicknamed “Hercules“ (he weighs 100 kg, or 220 pounds, and stands 1.90 metres, or 6 foot 4 inches tall) has taken part in “normal“ downhill races, founded his own company, and set up his own World Cup team “MS Intense Racing“. He was on an assignment in Portugal when he found out that the old speed track in La Parva, Chile was being renovated. He did not hesitate and quickly jumped on a plane to South America after hurriedly packing his old helmet, speedsuit and his new “Intense M6“ bike.
Just seven days later, on Friday, 14 September at 11:18 a.m., Stoeckl was standing at the highest-possible starting point directly beneath the cliffs in front of a 2000 meter long and 45-degree steep slope. The conditions for the record run were far from ideal. Because South America’s springtime weather had melted away much of the snow alongside the piste, shrinking it to a narrow strip set up between bare mountain cliffs, it was not possible to gradually raise the starting point for test runs. The final test run took place from a spot that was hundreds of metres below the starting point where a top speed of 178 km/h was recorded.
Because the protective visor on his helmet kept fogging over, Stoeckl was also forced to hold his breath for the 40-second run. “I knew that this would be my only chance,“ he said. The record run went off without a hitch. There were no problems whatsoever and despite hitting a speed of 210.4 km/h it all seemed somehow unspectacular.
Markus Stoeckl has now tasted success and he wants to try to break the other age-old records set by Eric Baronè – but with better preparation and first-rate material. Fernando Habash, who is in charge of the La Parva ski resort, has promised he would have a course suitable for records set up.
source: Stefan Stau/ sports and news

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Mio Suemasa, Japanese guest rider of the MS-INTENSE FACTORY-RACING team and powered by Fun Fancy, strikes again at the World Cup season finals in Maribor/ Slovenija. After a streak of good results she crowned her 4X season with a 2nd place in the race and a 3rd place in the overall 4X ranking.

source: www.sportbild.at photo: Martin Steiger

Due to her successful 4X season finish Mio was aiming for a good DH result as well. A 4th place in the seeding run made her dream of the podium but after a top 4 split time it was a little mistake that finally let her finish in 9th place.
Nevertheless it has been a great weekend for her and we've been happy to have her with us in the 2007 season.

Visit www.nissan-ucimtbworldcup.com for the results #6 UCI World Cup 2007 Maribor/ Slovenia

After a couple of good results and a podium at the Nissan Quasqai event series Darren prove again that you need to count with him no matter which event or discipline: 3rd place at the dirt jump competition of Interlaken/ SUI.

Congratulations!

Is it a nosedive 360? some riders mentioned that it is a "down under"
photo: T. Brunner, source: bike sport news

After our bad accident in 2006 we are on the road again with our own team vehicle. So we proudly present our new highway star:

Feel welcome to visit us at the world cups and meet the riders…

MS- INTENSE FACTORY- RACING congratulate Mio to her first victory on INTENSE. She won with 10 seconds in lead of Miriam Ruchti and Vanessa Quin, who is back on the podium again.

Source: www.leoganger-bergbahnen.at

Also Claudio Caluori come back after he broke his left brake finger at the world cup of Champery. He testes the new 2008 SHIMANO XT brake to proof the publicized 20% more power… he was able to profit from the advantage of the new brakes to be back in the top 5 again. Congratulations!

Results

It seems like that this is going to be the 2008 world cup schedule for DH and 4X

WC #1) 10.05.2008 11.05.2008 Coupe du Monde DHI/4X 1 / UCI World Cup DHI/4X 1 Maribor

WC #2) 31.05.2008 01.06.2008 Coupe du Monde UCI XCO 4 DHI/4X 2 / UCI World Cup XCO 4 DHI/4X 2 Vallnord

WC #3) 07.06.2008 08.06.2008 Coupe du Monde UCI XCO 5 DHI/4X 3 / UCI World Cup XCO 5 DHI/4X 3 Fort William

WM) 17.06.2008 22.06.2008 CHAMPIONNATS DU MONDE UCI XCO/DHI/4X UCI XCO/DHI/4X WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Commezzadura - Val-di-Sole

WC #4) 26.07.2008 27.07.2008 Coupe du Monde UCI XCO 6 / DHI/4X 4 / UCI World Cup XCO 6 / DHI/4X 4 TBC

WC #5) 02.08.2008 03.08.2008 Coupe du Monde UCI XCO 7 / DHI/4X 5 / UCI World Cup XCO 7 / DHI/4X 5 Mont Saint-Anne

WC #6) 30.08.2008 31.08.2008 Coupe du Monde UCI XCO 8 / DHI/4X 6 / UCI World Cup XCO 8 / DHI/4X 6 Canberra

WC #7) 13.09.2008 14.09.2008 Coupe du Monde UCI XCO 9 / DHI/4X 7 / UCI World Cup XCO 9 / DHI/4X 7 Schladming

source: www.uci.ch

...we report back with some news. We are really sorry for disregarding our news site, but we had a lot of work with our new team setup and also with finalizing the new website design which is coming soon.

First of all we like to congratulate Vanessa Quin for her fabulous comeback after her bad injury in January 2007: she got 8th at the #3 world cup in Mt. St. Anne which was her second race after world cup #2 in Champery. We are very happy to have Vanessa back on the team!

Mio Suemasa, our guest pro rider from Intense/ fun fancy, did again a good result at the 4X race of Mt. St. Anne and become 4th.

One of the reasons for disregarding our news site was that we have been working on our new team car, which was a lot more work than we thought.

Finally we have been able to finalize this project. Check out the result at WC #4 in Schladming/ AUT.

Last but not least we’d like to inform you that we are working on our new website which will be online pretty soon- so stay tuned for our new website.

MS- INTENSE FACTORY- RACING proudly presents the brandnew 2007 team race bike:

stay tuned for more information on the bike and don't hesitate to visit us at our pits at the UCI world cup or our 2007 homebase at Semmering bikepark....

the ms crew

At the moment Darren test the new prototype dirtjump frame to finalize the frame setup for the 2007 season.

After a pretty successful season 2006 the founder of Intense cycles Jeff Steber built another prototype frame for MS- RACING’s dirtjump figurehead Darren Pokoj.

Check out the pics and don't hesitate to ask Darren for more information if you meet him at:
Semmering Bikepark
The Qashqai Urabn Challenge
The Austrian King of Dirt Linz
The 26TRIX in Leogang
or the Adidas Slopestyle in Saalbach

The former world downhill champion fractured her C2 vertebra after spilling in her seeding run on Saturday. She also cracked her sternum and suffered hand injuries.

The horror crash comes after an injury-plagued 2006 season, where she shattered her arm in a world cup race in Spain and needed further surgery after the Rotorua world championships in August.
It's left the 30-year-old contemplating another six months off her bike, although she's just relieved she's still able to walk.

source & photo: www.stuff.co.nz

The ms- intense factory- racing crew wishes Vanessa all the best and a quick recovery- get back soon!

click the image to see the trailer of the new Eathred 4

Sanoe got her first bike:

...and Claudio provide her the 1st INTENSE