The 2024 USA Cycling Cross-Country Mountain Bike National Championships returned to Bear Creek Mountain Resort for its second consecutive year. On Wednesday evening, a heavy thunderstorm soaked the course, adding an extra layer of challenge to Thursday morning’s races, but quickly dried up by the afternoon.
MASTERS MEN XCO
After a blistering first-lap pace, Anthony Grinnell (Harmony, Pa.; Syndicate Cycling p/b Gear Bicycle Sales & Specialized), rode consistently to take the top step and the National Title in the Men’s 50-54. Rick Leonard (Akron, Ohio; SpinMedina/COC) took the early lead in the Men’s 55-59 and continued to put time into his competitors over three laps to win gold. It was a tight race in the Men’s 60-64 between Samuel Morse (Cohasset, Mass.; Corner Cycle/FinKraft), Troy Zimmerman (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Z-boys Racing), and Ashley Johnson (Scottsdale, Ariz.; Dynamite Bike Lab - Arizona). Zimmerman attacked on the third lap to gain nearly 2-minutes over his competition and win the National Title. David Jolin (Bellville, Ohio; Y-Not Cycling/Rescue Racing) was victorious in the Men’s 65-69 by nearly 7-minutes. Returning Men’s 70-74 National Champion, William Simmons (Superior, Colo.; BoulderCenter for Orthopedics & Spine) narrowly won gold by 5-seconds over Roy Gryskevich (New Cumberland, W.VA.; Frankford Bike) to retain the Stars and Stripes jersey. Stan Ford (Temecula, Calif.; The Bike Shop) won the Men’s 75-79 by a margin of nearly 5-minutes. At racing age 82 years old, Ron Bergeron (Olive Bridge, N.Y.; Overlook MTN Bikes) took the win in the oldest category of the event, the Men’s 80-84.
E-MTB, SINGLESPEED, AND NON-BINARY XCO
The E-MTB National Championship returned for its second year. Nick Mackie (West Palm Beach, Fla.; Specialized) defended his National Title in the Men’s category, riding a flawless race. In the Women’s category, Ginny McFall (Greenville, S.C.; Z-boys Racing, Maxxis Tires, Atomik Wheels) won by a 3-minute margin over second place Ashley Hendershot (Ashland, Ohio; Ashland Bicycle Company).
Kerry Werner, Jr. (Vinton, Va.; Black Magic Paint p/b Dubz Did What) gave the crowd a show in the Singlespeed Men’s Open, posting some of the fastest lap times of the day and taking home the Stars and Stripes jersey. In the Singlespeed Women’s Open category, returning champion Kelly Catale (Pepperell, Pa.; Team KellCat) crossed the finish line in style, winning the National Title.
Alison Roth (Madison, N.J.; Project Echelon Vanguard) secured the National Title in the Non-Binary category.
JUNIOR MEN XCO QUALIFIERS
With a new qualification process in place for this year, 100 riders received automatic berths for the Junior Men’s 17-18 and Junior Men’s 15-16 XCO Finals. Racers not receiving an automatic invitation took to the line, vying for the last twenty available spots in the XCO Finals for each respective category. Otis Engel (Mertztown, Pa.; Kelly Benefits Strategies Cycling) and Sylvan Garrelts (Brooklyn, N.Y.; Verge Sport) rode strong to secure the top qualifying spots in their respective categories.
JUNIOR 11-14 XCC
Thursday’s racing concluded with the Junior Men’s 11-14 and Junior Women’s 11-14 XCC events. 26 riders took to the start line in the Junior Women’s race and the fireworks went off at the whistle. Leah Morozowich (Scottsdale, Ariz.; Durango Devo) took the early lead and gained a maximum of 13-seconds on the field after the first lap. The effort seemed taxing though as she slowed with Elizabeth Williams (Austin, Texas; Texas Devo Cycling Team) clawing back time. Williams would catch Morozowich with one lap to go. The pair stuck together and came down to a photo finish with Morozowich taking the win.
The Junior Men lined up next with 43 riders. Almost immediately a group of nine formed off the front, dwindling down to five riders by the end of the first lap with Jack Pedde (Missoula, Mont.; Team Stampede/Five Valley Velo), Aydan McLaughlin (Covesville, Va.; CRC JR MTB Team), John Papadakis (Ellicott City, Md.; Baltimore Youth Cycling), Roenen King-Ellison (Plymouth, Minn.; NCYD p/b Donkey Label Racing), and Leo Carlin (Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Donovan Racing). The four-lap race would see five lead changes between this strong group. On the last lap, Papadakis would gain the advantage and hold it to the end to win the National Title. McLaughlin took second and King-Ellison rode in for third.
Full results for day two, and live timing for day three, can be found here.
Photo By: First Place Photo
UP NEXT
Racing resumes Friday on the mountain at Bear Creek. Spectators will see more Cross-Country races for the Amateur, Masters Women, and Junior events, along with the Junior Women and Men 15-16 finals.
