Trek athletes rocked every level of US XC MTB National Championships

Trek athletes won 13 national titles over the course of one weekend in Macungie, Penn. They won across six age and level categories, and ranged from 15 to 22 years old. They also racked up 32 top five finishes and 41 top 10s. The weekend was a celebration of mountain biking’s growing prominence in the United States, and how Trek is leading the way in the sport’s development.

Trek Future Racing’s Bjorn Riley led the way among elite riders, winning the men’s short track and Olympic-distance titles. The 22-year-old is in the midst of a breakout season that has included three U23 World Cup wins and nine U23 World Cup podiums.

From Trek Factory Racing-Pirelli XC, Madigan Munro won her third straight U23 national title, winning by 1:23 over second-place Sofia Waite. She also raced as an elite in short track, taking fourth. Her TFR XC teammate Gwendalyn Gibson took third in both elite events, giving her a double podium weekend. 

“An awesome weekend overall for the Trek squad, all three riders rode strong and on the podium!” Munro said after the race. “Coming into the race I was super excited to have the chance to defend my Stars and Stripes jersey. I knew it would be a tough race but I was feeling confident on the bike and I love the track in Pennsylvania. I was able to ride my own race and just focused on being smooth and consistent every lap and that was able to secure the win.”

Riley, Munro and Gibson are all products of the United States’ youth mountain bike development systems. Munro and Gibson both raced for National Interscholastic Cycling Association programs (Munro even rocked her custom NICA helmet throughout the weekend!) Riley is an alumnus of Bear National Team, which also had a phenomenal weekend. 

Starting at the elite pro level, 21-year-old Robbie Day finished just behind Riley in both elite men’s races, and 20-year-old Bailey Cioppa took fifth in the elite women’s XCC. In U23 racing, Bear’s Carson Hampton won both men’s races, while Makena Kellerman took third in both women’s races. Here’s the complete list of wins and podiums from Trek Future Racing, TFR XC and Bear riders in Macungie:

Wins:

• Bjorn Riley — elite men’s XCO and XCC
• Madigan Munro — U23 women’s XCO
• Carson Hampton — U23 men’s XCO and XCC
• Nico Konecny — 17-18 junior men’s XCO
• Oliver Welcker — 17-18 junior men’s XCC
• Vida Lopez De San Roman — 17-18 junior women’s XCO and XCC
• Rowan Nistal — 15-16 junior men’s XCO
• Mike Ziomek — 15-16 junior men’s XCC
• Aida Linton — 15-16 junior women’s XCO and XCC

Podiums

• Gwendalyn Gibson — 3rd elite women’s XCO and XCC
• Robbie Day — 2nd elite men’s XCO and XCC
• Makena Kellerman — 3rd U23 women’s XCO and XCC
• Lasse Konecny — 2nd U23 men’s XCO
• Toby Hassett — 2nd U23 men’s XCC
• Landen Stovall — 3rd U23 men’s XCC
• River Valdez — 3rd 17-18 junior men’s XCO
• Nico Konecny — 2nd 17-18 junior men’s XCC
• Ingrid McElroy — 3rd 17-18 junior women’s XCO and XCC
• Rowan Nistal — 3rd 15-16 junior men’s XCC

That list doesn’t encompass the full extent of incredible stories and breakout performances among Bear’s junior riders throughout the weekend. The team is helping to lead a surge in mountain biking’s popularity in the U.S., as well as success on a global stage. 

“Reflecting on the weekend, it was so heartwarming to see the junior and U23 fields flourishing with a record number of athletes in each category,” said Julia Violich, Bear National’s co-founder and team manager. “Obviously, I am very proud of our team and our results, but more importantly, I am proud of the entire mountain bike community and the support we all share with each other to create opportunities for our up-and-coming athletes. I am confident, the future is bright!” 

National Championships were a celebration of how far U.S. mountain biking has come, and its big ambitions for the future. We can’t wait to watch what comes next.