With an unprecedented 102 career wins and a record 10 career titles in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Ricky Carmichael remains the standard bearer of success in American motocross, and it's why he's affectionately known as "The G.O.A.T." (Greatest of All Time). In honor of Carmichael's legacy, the Pro Motocross Championship has made an effort to recognized the most determined rider at each respective National for more than a decade with the Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger Award. This accolade rewards the one competitor at each of the 12 rounds on the schedule  who overtakes the highest number of his fellow racers in either 450 Class moto.

With a rich heritage of its own that now spans nearly three decades, INTENSE CYCLES has long been a standard bearer of its own in downhill mountain bike racing. The California company has long held a crossover connection to the sport of motocross, with a who's who of team athletes that also became familiar figures within motorcycle racing. Passion and ingenuity was the driving force behind INTENSE's ascension in mountain biking, and those same traits became integral to the brand's development of its first electric bike, the TAZER MX. When it debuted in 2018, the TAZER integrated the refinements of traditional downhill mountain bikes with emerging electric technology, and even some elements of motocross, for an innovative design that remained true to the man-powered nature of the experience. The seamless transition into the e-bike segment further cemented INTENSE's status as an elite manufacturer, much like how Carmichael's sustained decade of dominance competing aboard three different brands of motorcycles proved he's simply the best there's ever been.

Each recipient of the INTENSE RC HARD CHARGER AWARD is recognized during the riders meeting at the following National and is awarded with a custom-designed trophy.

It's almost fitting that the final round of the 2022 season featured the most resilient performance of the summer, from none other than one of the sport's most decorated and beloved athletes. When Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Ryan Dungey announced his return to the sport it sent shockwaves through the industry. After five years away, the three-time 450 Class champion returned and immediately acclimated himself within the deep pool of premier class talent. Dungey was a fixture in the battle for the top five all summer, but his anticipated return didn't come without adversity. At the season-ending PristineAuction.com Fox Raceway II National Dungey faced his toughest challenge after a crash off the start in Moto 1 left him at the tail end of the field in 38th place. One of the most resilient racers of all-time, Dungey remounted and went to work. He stormed through the field in daunting triple-digit temperatures and gave it his all to secure 10th place. The resolve of a champion helped Dungey pass the most riders in a single moto than anyone else this season, with a 28-position improvement that earned him the final RC Hard Charger Award of the season.

Fox Raceway II National: 
#5 Ryan Dungey / Belle Plaine, Minnesota / KTM
+28 positions in 450 Moto 1 (38th to 10th)

2022 INTENSE RC HARD CHARGER AWARD Recipients

Fox Raceway I National:
#61 Fredrik Noren / Lidköping, Sweden / Suzuki
+26 positions in 450 Moto 1 (40th to 14th)

Hangtown Motocross Classic: 
#73 Benny Bloss / Oak Grove, Missouri / KTM
+18 positions in 450 Moto 1 (35th to 17th)

Thunder Valley National: 
#28 Christian Craig / El Cajon, California / Yamaha
+22 positions in 450 Moto 1 (32nd to 10th)

High Point National: 
#82 Chris Canning / Coventry, Connecticut / GASGAS
+17 positions in 450 Moto 2 (34th to 17th)

RedBud National: 
#12 Shane McElrath / Canton, North Carolina / Husqvarna
+26 positions in 450 Moto 1 (40th to 14th)

Southwick National: 
#21 Jason Anderson / Edgewood, New Mexico / Kawasaki
+25 positions in 450 Moto 1 (33rd to 8th)

Spring Creek National: 
#7 Aaron Plessinger / Hamilton, Ohio / KTM
+11 positions in 450 Moto 2 (18th to 7th)

Washougal National: 
#12 Shane McElrath / Canton, North Carolina / Husqvarna
+16 positions in 450 Moto 1 (30th to 14th)

Unadilla National: 
#82 Chris Canning / Coventry, Connecticut / GASGAS
+16 positions in 450 Moto 2 (35th to 19th)

Budds Creek National: 
#23 Chase Sexton / La Moille, Illinois / Honda
+22 positions in 450 Moto 1 (29th to 7th)

Ironman National: 
#21 Jason Anderson / Edgewood, New Mexico / Kawasaki
+26 positions in 450 Moto 1 (32nd to 6th)