INTENSE Closes Out the Season in Style — Two Teams, One Brand, One Mission

October 4th, 2025 – Lake Placid, New York, USA

What a way to close out the season. The U.S. rounds always bring something a bit extra — the fans, the energy, the chaos — and this year’s final World Cup stop in Lake Placid was no exception. Between INTENSE Factory Racing and INTENSE Racing USA, the red-and-black presence was everywhere, and the results told the story of a brand charging full speed into 2026.

From Killington to Lake Placid — INTENSE Racing USA Finishes Strong

It’s been an incredible debut season for INTENSE Racing USA, and they capped it off in proper fashion at the Lake Placid World Cup, just after wrapping up the FOX US Open in Killington, VT.

Dante Silva came into the weekend on a high after finishing 2nd overall in the Pro Downhill Series, and he was ready to see how he stacked up against the world’s best. With zero pressure and all the motivation in the world, Dante sent it straight into 10th place in qualifying, punching his ticket directly to finals from Q1.

Come finals day, the crowd was buzzing and the atmosphere electric. Dante laid down another heater but a few small mistakes kept him just shy of a repeat top-10 — still, a 16th-place finish on home soil is nothing short of stellar. He’s fired up heading into the offseason, eyes already locked on 2026.

Meanwhile, Kai Burleson made his World Cup debut, and what a debut it was. First time on the big stage, new environment, new pace — but Kai took it all in stride. With guidance from Dante and the other elite riders, he soaked up every bit of advice and put it into practice. Kai squeezed into finals and came out swinging, riding with confidence and aggression until a mistimed braking point sent him offline and into a tree. He regrouped quickly, pushed through, and crossed the line in 19th place — an impressive finish for a rookie at his first-ever World Cup.

For a brand-new U.S. program, this was the perfect ending. New riders, fresh energy, and a whole lot of pride. The INTENSE Racing USA crew has set the tone for what’s to come — and the future looks fast.

Lake Placid — The Factory Team Fights On

Up the hill, the INTENSE Factory Racing squad was also hard at work on the same brutal Lake Placid track. The course was split in two — a tight, line-hunting top half and a blistering fast lower section that barely gave your brakes a workout. Finding rhythm here wasn’t easy. You had to balance precision with power — and keep the flow alive through wildly different terrain.

Unfortunately, Oscar Griffiths’ weekend ended early with a heavy crash in timed training. After showing strong speed in practice, a fast left-hander got the better of him, knocking him out of the race. “It was exciting to be on a fresh track,” Oscar said. “I was really starting to build speed when I went down hard and knocked myself out. Weekend over — time to recover. Missing the bike already.”

Louise Ferguson and Mille Johnset represented the Factory squad in the Elite Women’s field. Lou found her stride on race day, holding it steady and fast for a 9th-place finish. “Lake Placid was a goodie,” she said. “After an eventful Lenzerheide, this week felt extra nice. I had a positive mindset and loved the challenge of a fresh track. Found the balance to push and stay upright for finals.”

Mille, always consistent, rode with speed and commitment but couldn’t quite find the same rhythm. Still, she finished a solid 12th and walked away ready to reset for Mont-Sainte-Anne. “Hard race weekend,” she said. “The speed and commitment were there, I just struggled to find the flow — which was key for this track. All eyes on MSA now for the final race of the year.”

In Elite Men, Joe Breeden qualified 24th in Q2 but missed out on finals. His focus has been split between racing and helping shape the future of the INTENSE program. “A shift in focus over the past couple of months to secure the best future for our incredible team meant a few things have had to slip,” Joe said. “I was gutted to miss finals, but I’m stoked with where we’re positioned for the coming years.”

Tech Talk — Dialed Bikes, Wild Terrain

John Stout summed up the conditions perfectly:

“A dry World Cup in Lake Placid was a welcome change, especially while racing in North America without our usual pit setup. The track was unpredictable — slow and dusty up top, making momentum hard to maintain — so riders ran intermediate fronts and dry rears. The motorway and jump sections highlighted the value of EXT’s custom lockout for saving crucial time. Suspension setups stayed mostly consistent with the previous round, with ongoing refinements to each rider’s base setup.”

A United Finish — One INTENSE Family

Between INTENSE Factory Racing and INTENSE Racing USA, the story from Lake Placid was clear: two teams, one mission. From first-year rookies to seasoned pros, everyone brought the heat.

Both programs faced challenges, crashes, and chaos — but they also showed grit, heart, and a shared passion for pushing what’s possible on an INTENSE bike. The results were just the cherry on top.

As we close the book on 2025, one thing’s certain — this brand’s got momentum, and 2026 is looking fierce.

Results – Lake Placid, USA

INTENSE Factory Racing

• Louise Ferguson – 9th (Elite Women)

• Mille Johnset – 12th (Elite Women)

• Joe Breeden – Qualified 24th (Elite Men)

• Oscar Griffiths – DNF (Crash)

INTENSE Racing USA

• Dante Silva – 16th (Elite Men)

• Kai Burleson – 19th (Elite Men)