The U.S. announced which four riders are heading to Paris for the Olympic mountain bike event this summer. The roster, two men and two women, is whittled down from a deep pool of U.S. talent at the top of the World Cup ranking right now.
U.S.A. Cycling (USAC) announced it’s Olympic team on Tuesday. Canada will follow with its own announcement of which two riders are headed to Paris soon. The U.S.A. gets to send twice as many riders as Canada as a result of the UCI’s Olympic criteria. Currently Isabella Holmgren and Gunnar Holmgren lead that selection race.
U.S. Women’s mountain bike team
On the women’s side, the U.S. will be represented by Haley Batten, who already has a World Cup win and three podiums in three XCO races this year, and Savilia Blunk, current national champion and second at the Mairipora World Cup. With four U.S. women in the top 10 at that event, the race for a spot on the Olympic team was tight.
“My Olympic pursuit has been an amazing journey. Through injury, personal growth, and relentless hard work, I am proud to earn my spot to represent Team USA in Paris,” Batten said of her second Olympic selection. “Throughout my youth, I have dreamed of becoming an Olympic athlete and to earn a medal for the USA. I am honored to have this opportunity and I am fully focused on preparing at my best.”
Savilia Blunk is headed to her first Olympic Games in 2024 and is, as you might guess, thrilled.
“Competing at the Olympics is something I’ve dreamed about ever since my first race in the NorCal NICA league. When I was 15, this dream felt almost inconceivable. I knew it would take a lot of hard work, but what was even harder to find in the process was team support, resources, and funding to get myself to the biggest stage. It was never a clear path, but I was relentlessly committed and never gave up. Now looking back, I realize this WAS the path all along – never giving up on my dreams. I’m so proud to have reached this moment and am super excited to represent the USA in Paris!”
U.S. Men’s mountain bike team
On the men’s side, Christopher Blevins and under-23 rider Riley Amos will represent the stars and stripes. Blevins won the men’s XCO at…
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