Riley Amos was stoked to punch his ticket to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and as a young and uber-talented 22-year-old athlete, is on course to represent the future of American mountain biking.
The Durango, Colorado, rider’s UCI World Cup results have been sensational, dialing in a dream season thus far, one that began in Brazil and has gained speed in the Italian Dolomites and Swiss Alps. Amos sped to victories in the opening four U-23 cross-country events and three of four elite short course races. He has shifted into high gear, figuratively and literally, exceeding all expectations aboard his Trek Factory Racing mountain bike.
“It’s honestly unreal – I definitely didn’t think at the start of the year that something like this was possible, for sure,” Amos tells Team USA, in an interview from Crans-Montana, Switzerland. “This is my fourth season in the under-23 category – so I’ve had four years to develop as an athlete physically and mentally.
“Also, learning how to spend a long time in Europe, what it’s like racing the competition here and just having a good process between Trek and myself, building year after year.
“It’s been as flawless as it could go so far this year, so I’m super thankful,” said the Colorado mountain bike racer.
Another important victory came in Nové Město, Czechia, in late May, automatically qualifying Amos for his first Olympic Games.
“I don’t’ think it’s fully set in yet,” Amos admitted. “I have ideas of what to expect, but I don’t truly know yet what it means to be part of Team USA at the Olympics and represent my country – when I get there, I’ll be better able to answer that question.”
At six feet tall and 145 pounds, Amos’ lanky frame and long legs function as shock absorbers as he often takes the A-line, attacking rough and bumpy courses. At just 22, and his first Olympic Games beckoning, the potential seems untapped.
Amos sent it with two game-changing victories at the Pan-American MTB Championships in Midway, Utah, in mid-May. The wins helped assure two quota spots for U.S. men in Paris. The team accomplishment marks the first time that the U.S. will be represented by two male riders at the Olympic Games in 12 years.
Amos will be accompanied on Team USA by his longtime buddy and Colorado training partner Christopher Blevins. “He’s kind of the king on the throne, so beating him really motivates me,” Amos says, about his close friend.
Blevins holds the distinction as the first American man to win a senior elite world cup since 1994. Amos has followed closely in his tracks, occasionally overtaking his friend. Their connection runs deep.
“Chris and I are both from Durango, Colorado and I think every Olympic mountain bike team since maybe 2000 has had someone from Durango, which is insane coming from a town of 30,000 people,” Amos notes proudly. “The community and culture surrounding mountain biking, the junior development programs and trails that we have here is really special.”
The New Brigade of American Mountain
Biking
Amos will be in fine company in France competing together with his three fellow young and hard-charging U.S. teammates – Blevins, 25, and highly ranked female competitors Haley Batten, 25, and Savilia Blunk, 24. The foursome has ridden to exceptional world cup results this season and will join together with the potential to become the best U.S.
Olympic mountain biking team ever. Mountain bikers have pedaled at the Olympic Games since Atlanta 1996.
“The way the U.S. came out swinging at those first two world cups was unreal,” Amos said, referring to April races in Brazil.
“Savilia and Haley are young, but they’ve been knocking on the door for awhile. Savilia’s progression has been massive over the last three years from under 23 to competitive elite. Haley has been very good for a long time, but she’s just on winning form right now.
“We’re definitely the new wave, but we’ve been coming at this for awhile” he added.
While Amos and Blunk will be Olympic rookies in France, Blevins and Batten bring Games experience to the youthful squad. Christoper finished 14th and Haley ninth in the cross-country events at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
It may seem perplexing considering mountain biking’s roots ingrained in northern California in the 1970s, but no American male rider has medaled across seven Olympic Games. Blevins or Amos could change that.
On the womens’ side, Georgia Gould (London 2012) and Susan DeMattei (Atlanta 1996) have claimed Olympic mountain biking medals for the U.S., both earning bronze.
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Publish date : 2024-07-12 11:00:00
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Author : News-Sports
Publish date : 2024-07-14 08:33:22
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