{"id":2088280,"date":"2026-08-11T18:49:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2088280"},"modified":"2026-08-11T18:49:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:49:19","slug":"usa-brings-serious-momentum-to-the-2026-mountain-bike-world-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2088280","title":{"rendered":"USA brings serious momentum to the 2026 Mountain Bike World Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<div id=\"wp_content_article\" class=\"st_article_class\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"780\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&apos;%20viewBox=&apos;0%200%201170%20780&apos;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-1170x780.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-724723 lazy\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/world-champ-600x400.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">File photo: Jeff Barber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UCI Mountain Bike World Champs roster just announced, with 49 U.S. riders heading to Val di Sole, Italy, to try to bring home the rainbow jersey August 26-30. There, they will meet the world\u2019s best across five UCI disciplines \u2014 Cross-Country Olympic (XCO), Cross-Country Team Relay (XCR), Cross-Country Short Track (XCC), Downhill (DHI), and E-MTB.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Racers from the U.S. are split into their respective disciplines, with 24 XC and 25 DH racers, from Elite to Junior.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Team USA roster is as follows:<\/p>\n<div style=\"min-height: 250px;padding: auto;margin-bottom: 20px\" class=\"singl-3c5d6d2eb95e5a31199fa11bb8351bd4 singl-content\" id=\"singl-3c5d6d2eb95e5a31199fa11bb8351bd4\"><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"h-cross-country-xc\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cross country (XC)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elite Men<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Riley Amos<\/li>\n<li>Bjorn Riley<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elite Women<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Haley Batten<\/li>\n<li>Savilia Blunk<\/li>\n<li>Gwendalyn Gibson<\/li>\n<li>Madigan Munro<\/li>\n<li>Kelsey Urban<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>U23 Men<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dan English<\/li>\n<li>Nicholas Konecny<\/li>\n<li>Jack Spranger<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>U23 Women<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bailey Cioppa<\/li>\n<li>Makena Kellerman<\/li>\n<li>Greta Kilburn<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Junior Men<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thomas Agnew<\/li>\n<li>Rowan Nistal<\/li>\n<li>Myles Perry<\/li>\n<li>Kian Reid<\/li>\n<li>Noah Scholnick<\/li>\n<li>Charles Thomas<\/li>\n<li>Michael Ziomek<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Junior Women<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lily Agnew<\/li>\n<li>Aida Linton<\/li>\n<li>Sophia Wellmeier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"h-downhill\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Downhill<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elite Men<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dylan Maples<\/li>\n<li>Evan Medcalf<\/li>\n<li>Dakotah Norton<\/li>\n<li>Ryan Pinkerton<\/li>\n<li>Richie Rude<\/li>\n<li>Luca Shaw<\/li>\n<li>Asa Vermette<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elite Women<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Abby Hogie<\/li>\n<li>Maylei Leaneagh<\/li>\n<li>Matilda Melton<\/li>\n<li>Anna Newkirk<\/li>\n<li>Kailey Skelton<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Junior Men<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Boston Bryant<\/li>\n<li>Kai Burleson<\/li>\n<li>Luca De Mas<\/li>\n<li>Slade Gainey<\/li>\n<li>Alex Mallen<\/li>\n<li>Luke Mallen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Junior Women<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Winter Bush<\/li>\n<li>Raina Logar<\/li>\n<li>Zanna Logar<\/li>\n<li>Mary McLarnon<\/li>\n<li>Aletha Ostgaard<\/li>\n<li>Samantha Porras<\/li>\n<li>Jade Savage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"h-the-us-has-already-seen-good-results-at-world-cups-this-year\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The US has already seen good results at World Cups this year<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bjorn Riley, out of Boulder, Colorado, snagged his first World Cup win as an Elite earlier this year in Andorra. Before that, he had three World Cup wins as a U23 \u2014 two in XCC and one in XCO. While Andorra was Riley\u2019s first time at the very top of a podium as an Elite, he has podiumed a total of four times. Riley is currently ranked third in the XCO and fourth in the XCC overall standings.<\/p>\n<div style=\"min-height: 250px;padding: auto;margin-bottom: 20px\" class=\"singl-d14a2f6963b975ae0a659e8bb828f684 singl-content\" id=\"singl-d14a2f6963b975ae0a659e8bb828f684\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the women\u2019s side, Savilia Blunk took first in the XCC event at Lenzerheide. This was Blunk\u2019s first Elite World Cup win, although she has stood on an Elite podium 10 times, and very consistently. U23 racer Makena Kellerman has won twice this year, first in South Korea and later in Czechia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking at the gravity side, rookie sensation Asa Vermette qualified first and took first at his first (yes, that was a lot of \u201cfirsts\u201d) Elite World Cup DH race in South Korea. Vermette has stood on two other podiums this year as an Elite racer, and isn\u2019t a stranger to the platform, with five wins as a Junior. Currently, Vermette is ranked third in the overall standings, making him a potential World Champ and the Overall World Cup winner for 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Luca Shaw is no stranger to the Elite World Cup podium \u2014 he\u2019s been on one 11 times over his career. But it wasn\u2019t until this year that the Canyon Factory racer finally crossed the line first, snagging his first-ever Elite win.<\/p>\n<div style=\"min-height: 250px;padding: auto;margin-bottom: 20px\" class=\"singl-7c113cb8c75d12a4be3e003f11ecf0ec singl-content\" id=\"singl-7c113cb8c75d12a4be3e003f11ecf0ec\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/anna-newkirk-is-the-first-american-woman-to-win-a-dh-world-cup-race-in-23-years\/\">Anna Newkirk<\/a> already made history this year, becoming the first Elite American woman to win a World Cup in over two decades. The win made it five different podium appearances for Newkirk.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-an-iconic-track\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">An iconic track<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t the first time Val di Sole has hosted the World Championships. The iconic stop has hosted the World Champs three other times, stretching back to 2008, plus even more World Cup races.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For DH, Val di Sole is known for its rough and rowdy terrain. Tracks incorporate steep chutes and incredibly rocky\/rooty tech sections, and incredibly high speeds. On the XC side, riders will encounter steep, punchy climbs and difficult technical sections as they weave in and out of the forest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Riders from all over the world will descend on Val di Sole, Italy, for World Champs on August 26-30.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&lt;!&#8211;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4>Related articles<\/h4>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8211;&gt;<\/p>\n<div style=\"height: 30px\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\tjQuery(function() {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpostpayloads._fe22719afedbb9a367c829e60d392dd0 = {&#8220;ids&#8221;:&#8221;722123,703513,702590,690729&#8243;,&#8221;posts_per_page&#8221;:null,&#8221;offset&#8221;:0,&#8221;style&#8221;:&#8221;4up&#8221;};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\tpostcounter._fe22719afedbb9a367c829e60d392dd0 = {start: 0, step: 0, end: 0};<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t});<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\" style=\"background: #fff\">\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/anna-newkirk-is-the-first-american-woman-to-win-a-dh-world-cup-race-in-23-years\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&apos;%20viewBox=&apos;0%200%201%201&apos;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-1.00.18-PM-750x500.png\" alt=\"Three women in racing suits celebrating on a podium, spraying champagne and having fun. The background features sponsor logos and a blue backdrop, capturing a moment of joy and victory.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/\">Community<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/anna-newkirk-is-the-first-american-woman-to-win-a-dh-world-cup-race-in-23-years\/\">Anna Newkirk is the first American woman to win a DH World Cup race in 23 years<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/uncategorized\/mtb-world-champs-are-returning-to-durango-co-for-40-year-anniversary\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&apos;%20viewBox=&apos;0%200%201%201&apos;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Purgatory-Bike-Park-5-750x500.jpg\" alt=\"A mountain biker descends a rocky trail surrounded by autumn foliage, while two spectators watch from the side. The scene captures a vibrant landscape with trees displaying yellow leaves, steep mountains in the background, and race markers outlining the trail. The atmosphere conveys an adventurous, outdoor activity in a picturesque setting.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/bike-trails\/region\/colorado\/\">Colorado<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/uncategorized\/mtb-world-champs-are-returning-to-durango-co-for-40-year-anniversary\/\">MTB World Champs are returning to Durango, CO, for 40-year anniversary<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix visible-xs\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/americans-kate-courtney-and-keegan-swenson-win-the-2025-cross-country-marathon-xcm-world-championship\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&apos;%20viewBox=&apos;0%200%201%201&apos;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/usa-flag-750x500.jpg\" alt=\"American flag waving against a cloudy sky, with mountainous silhouettes in the background.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/\">Community<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/americans-kate-courtney-and-keegan-swenson-win-the-2025-cross-country-marathon-xcm-world-championship\/\">Americans Kate Courtney and Keegan Swenson win the 2025 Cross-country Marathon (XCM) World Championship<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-xs-6 col-md-3 st_archive_4up\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/current-enduro-world-champ-is-going-back-to-dh\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&apos;%20viewBox=&apos;0%200%201%201&apos;%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.singletracks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/388A9214-750x500.jpg\" alt=\"A mountain biker in a bright yellow and black jersey is leaning into a turn on a dirt trail, surrounded by trees. The cyclist is wearing protective gear, including a helmet and gloves, and their bike is partially obscured by mud, indicating an intense ride. Sunlight filters through the foliage, highlighting the action and the rugged terrain.\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"st_archive_tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/\">Community<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"st_archive_title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singletracks.com\/community\/current-enduro-world-champ-is-going-back-to-dh\/\">Current enduro World Champ is going back to DH<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix visible-xs\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>File photo: Jeff Barber The UCI Mountain Bike World Champs roster just announced, with 49 U.S. riders heading to Val di Sole, Italy, to try to bring home the rainbow jersey August 26-30. There, they will meet the world\u2019s best across five UCI disciplines \u2014 Cross-Country Olympic (XCO), Cross-Country Team Relay (XCR), Cross-Country Short Track [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,274],"class_list":["post-2088280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-singletracks-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2088280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2088280"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2088280\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2088280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2088280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2088280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}