BENTONVILLE, Arkansas (June 11, 2024) — USA Cycling has announced its team for the Mountain Biking events at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The announcement was made by CEO and President Brendan Quirk during a press conference at Ledger Bentonville in Bentonville, Arkansas.
The USA Cycling National Team has been competing since 2022 to secure international ranking points through the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), aiming to place in the top eight in the MTB Olympic Qualification Rankings. Outstanding performances in UCI events over the past two years have propelled the U.S. men’s team into the top five and the women’s team into the top three, earning the maximum available quota spots for the Olympics—two men and two women.
Alec Pasqualina, USA Cycling’s Director of Mountain Bike, expressed confidence in the team’s potential. “The 2024 USA Mountain Bike Olympic Team is one to watch with medal potential in both the Women’s and Men’s events. The United States has been regaining prominence since Tokyo, and we are excited to show the world what we are capable of. Each of our four mountain bike Olympians in 2024 continues to impress us, and we know they will represent our nation well.”
The team includes two returning Olympians and two newcomers, who collectively achieved six Elite Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) podiums, five Elite Short Track (XCC) podiums, and a perfect season in the U23 Men’s races during the first three UCI Mountain Bike World Cups of the season. The athletes are peaking just in time for the global stage in Paris this summer.
Women’s Team:
Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Specialized Factory Racing): Batten returns to the Olympic team after securing wins in both the Short Track and Cross-Country events at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Brazil. The 2024 Pan American Champion is in top form heading into her second Olympic Games.
“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. “Throughout my youth, I dreamed of becoming an Olympic athlete and earning a medal for the USA. I am honored to have this opportunity and am fully focused on preparing at my best.”
Savilia Blunk (Inverness, Calif.; Decathlon-Ford Racing Team): Making her Olympic debut, Blunk is a two-time U.S. National Champion who has demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest level, earning a silver and two bronze medals in the opening World Cup rounds.
“Competing at the Olympics has been a dream since my first race in the NorCal NICA league,” Blunk shared. “Achieving this has been a challenging journey, requiring relentless commitment. I am proud to have reached this moment and am excited to represent the USA in Paris.”
Men’s Team:
Both male cyclists hail from Durango, Colorado, continuing the town’s Olympic legacy. This marks the seventh consecutive Olympics featuring a male cyclist from Durango.
Christopher Blevins (Durango, Colo.; Specialized Factory Racing): The Short Track World Champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympian returns for his second Olympic Games. Blevins made headlines in 2021 by winning the first Elite Men’s UCI Mountain Bike World Cup on U.S. soil in nearly 30 years.
“The magnitude of the Olympics is one of the most special experiences as an athlete. Being part of Team USA is a celebration that extends beyond yourself,” Blevins said. “I was proud to make it to Tokyo in 2021, and perhaps even more so to make my second Olympic Games, with the opportunity to aim for a medal in Paris.”
Riley Amos (Durango, Colo.; Trek Factory Racing): At 22, Amos has established himself as a dominant force in the Under-23 category, with a perfect season in 2024 and 11 XCO podiums since 2021. He is the first American man to win a U23 World Cup.
“I don’t think it has sunk in yet that I will represent my country in Paris,” Amos remarked. “I am focused on embracing this incredible opportunity and learning all I can for the 2028 Games. I am proud to continue the legacy of Durango’s Mountain Bike Olympians.”
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11, with cycling events scheduled daily. The Women’s Cross-Country Mountain Bike event is set for July 28, followed by the Men’s event on July 29, both starting at 8:00 am ET.
2024 U.S. Olympic Mountain Bike Team
Women:
- Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Specialized Factory Racing)
- Savilia Blunk (Inverness, Calif.; Decathlon-Ford Racing Team)
Men:
- Christopher Blevins (Durango, Colo.; Specialized Factory Racing)
- Riley Amos (Durango, Colo.; Trek Factory Racing)