2006
Production of the M6 begins with the M6 EVO featuring as a ‘race team only’ bike. The MS-INTENSE factory race team is formed. Kovarik teams up with Claudio Caluori and would later be joined by Vanessa Quin, Mio Suemasa, Matti Lehikoinen, and many others. INTENSE also launched the Socom, a bike that was loved by riders all over the world and that would go on to have cult status.
2007
Markus Stöckl (of MS Racing fame) sets a new world speed record (for a ‘stock’ bike) when he pilots his M6 to 210.4kph on a ski slope in Chile. The record stood until 2017.
2008
The Chain Reaction Cycles INTENSE team of Chris Kovarik, Ruaridh Cunningham, Julien Camellini, and Matt Simmonds is formed, with long-time INTENSE team rider Nigel Page as manager.
2009
Always one step ahead of the competition, Jeff works on a side project – a 29" DH bike, the '2951'. Prototypes work well, but downhill specific components aren't available at the time, so the project is put on hold. The 2951 would eventually reappear eight years later as a prototype M29. INTENSE launch the Uzzi, a 6.5-7.5" travel all-mountain/freeride/mini downhill bike. Claire Buchar joins the CRC INTENSE team.
2010
The M6 EVO is refined and redeveloped with feedback from World Cup riders such as Chris Kovarik and evolves into the M9. Prototype INTENSE M9 bikes were ridden by the Chain Reaction Cycles team on the World Cup circuit.
2011
After winning two World Cups in 2010, Emmeline Ragot won the women’s downhill World Championships title in Champery by a staggering 15 seconds riding for the Suspension Centre team on an INTENSE M6.
2012
INTENSE produces its first ever carbon fiber model, the 26” Carbine trail bike. This signals a significant shift in INTENSE.
2013
Tahnée Seagrave won the Junior World Championships in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) riding on an INTENSE M9. Tahnée rode on INTENSE bikes for seven years at the start of her career. From 2006 to 2013sherode a series of INTENSE frames, all painted baby blue after her ‘hero’ Vanessa Quin.
2014
The legendary Shaun Palmer returns to INTENSE and creates a DH Development Team.
2015
After a successful racing career, Bernat Guardia retires and becomes team manager on the reborn INTENSE Factory Racing team. He immediately signs young Aussie rippers Jack Moir and Dean Lucas. That same year, the first carbon M16 appeared.
2016
JS Tuned is launched with an updated Tracer featuring the new Enduro Link. The critical element of JS Tuned is the suspension system that uses two counter-rotating links to connect the front and rear triangles of the bike. Every model in our range would go on to have its own personal and specific JS tune.
2017
Jack Moir takes second place at the Fort William World Cup, and Dean Lucas takes second at the Mont Sainte Anne World Cup. New M29 prototypes are being tested live on the World Cup circuit. The re-designed 155mm travel Carbine is launched.
2018
INTENSE announces its 'Rider Direct' business plan, making World Cup proven bikes available to more riders worldwide. Dean Lucas scores third place at the first World Cup in Croatia. 2018 also sees the launch of the 155mm Tazer, INTENSE's first ever eBike.
2019
Jeff reclaims his spot as CEO. A new team, including SX and MX Champion Ryan Dungey, came on board to restructure the business and refocus the brand. Aaron Gwin sets up the all-new INTENSE Factory Race (IFR) team, marking a new era for the brand. Isabeau Courdurier wins all eight rounds of the Enduro World Series and takes the series title, onboard her INTENSE Tracer, then the Carbine, and then at the final round on a mixed wheel size prototype Tracer.
2020
A turbulent year as Covid-19 turns the world on its head. Amazingly World Cup racing does take place towards the end of the year. It is a pressurized and exhausting schedule of races but Aaron Gwin scores a very welcome fourth place at round 3 in Portugal on a prototype INTENSE M279 downhill bike. INTENSE re-launch and focus support in Europe, the UK and Australia.
2021
The world gets its first look at the all-new Tracer 279 bike. Completely redesigned, the mixed wheel, 170mm enduro bike is the first INTENSE to have Aaron Gwin’s ‘design thumbprint’ on it. Talking of Gwin, with ‘unfinished business,’ Aaron signs a new two-year contract as he and his team further develop the new downhill bike. 2021 also marks the launch of the new 951 Series of bikes from INTENSE, aimed at new riders who want a quality product at a competitive price.