In a groundbreaking performance, Riley Amos (USA) made history at the Paris Olympic Games with a seventh-place finish in the men’s cross-country mountain bike event. At just 22 years old, Amos’s result is the best-ever finish for a male US rider in the 28-year history of Olympic cross-country mountain biking (XCO).
His accomplishment comes on the heels of compatriot Haley Batten’s silver medal in the women’s cross-country race the previous day, marking a significant achievement for USA Cycling.
Amos was overwhelmed with emotion when a USA Cycling representative informed him of his historic achievement immediately after the race. “To do that at 22, and to have legends of the sport like Todd Wells and Chris Blevins as my mentors is a huge step for US mountain biking. I’m so thrilled,” he said, his voice choked with joy.
Amos started the race strong, leading the pack on the opening lap. By the second of seven long laps, he was ninth, just four seconds behind top contenders Mathias Flückiger (Switzerland), defending Olympic champion Tom Pidcock (Great Britain), and Victor Koretzky (France). He held his ground among seasoned veterans, including current World Cup leader Alan Hatherly (South Africa) and 10-time XCO world champion Nino Schurter (Switzerland).
Throughout the race, Pidcock steadily reduced the deficit to overtake Koretzky and claim his second Olympic title. Amos maintained a steady pace, battling Samuel Gaze for a position just outside the top five. Gaze eventually took sixth place by five seconds in the final sprint.
“It was pretty cool to be in the mix with all those guys. The last two laps, working with Sam [Gaze] to try and move forward was just unreal,” Amos remarked. “To prove that I can be competitive with them in the future, in my first go at the Olympics, being able to be in the top 10 is just beyond expectation.”
Amos, although new to the Olympics, is no stranger to international competition. He placed fourth in the U23 Mountain Bike World Championships last year and entered Paris on a five-race winning streak in U23 XCO events on the World Cup circuit. His first major win as an elite rider came at the Pan-American Championships in Midway, Utah, in May.
“I think it’s really hard to make that jump from under-23 to elite. My goal is to make that jump consistently,” Amos explained. “Racing with legends today was the best part of the whole year.”
From the start line at Elancourt Hill, Amos set a scorching pace to secure a good position. “I knew that start was terrifying. Those two corners were so loose. I just got off the line as quick as I could and tried to ride my own pace,” he recounted. “I had to ride my own race and be aware of where I am right now.”
By lap 4, Amos had climbed to seventh overall, with Pidcock closing in after losing time due to a wheel change. The two rode together, with Pidcock eventually overtaking Amos.
“He was riding my wheel, and I knew he’d come when he could,” Amos said with a laugh. “Trying to climb with him is indescribable. When he gets out of the saddle and goes, he just goes. It’s unbelievable.”
Amos trains in Durango, Colorado, alongside Olympic teammate Christopher Blevins, who finished 13th, one spot better than in Tokyo. Despite some challenges, including a low tire and suspension issues, Blevins managed to stay competitive.
Blevins, ranked eighth overall on the World Cup circuit, started the year with a win in Brazil at Mairiporã. With two rounds of the World Cup remaining, one in Lake Placid, New York, and another in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, the competition remains fierce.
Reflecting on the Olympic course, Amos said, “It’s just different. It doesn’t reflect the trend of most World Cups but is super challenging in its own way. It was really fast, a lot more on the pedals than most people realize. But I really liked it.”
Amos’s historic performance signals a bright future for US mountain biking, and his journey from under-23 to elite shows his potential to compete with the world’s best.