Nine National Titles Awarded on the Second Day of Racing at Endurance Mountain Bike Nationals

Following a two-day break in the week-long schedule, the 2026 USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships moved to Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke for the short track events, where riders were greeted with challenging course features, including a rock garden, technical descent, and multiple dirt-to-road transitions. 

The Amateur Women 19-29 were the first racers to take on the course. Teagan Hatley (Indianapolis, Ind.; Midwest Devo) established control from the whistle, setting consistent lap times and never looking back on her way to the national title. Arden Rossi (Georges Mill, N.H.; Team KellCat Racing) finished second, while Maeve Toolan (Saint Louis, Mo.; South Side XC Devo) won a close battle for the bronze medal.

The Masters Women 30+ lined up next. Reigning champion Carla Williams (Roanoke, Va.; Cardinal Bicycle) repeated last year’s strategy, powering out of the start chute and consistently turning 2:15 lap times. Serena DeFelice (New Egypt, N.J.; Team EPS p/b Brielle Cyclery) chased hard, but Williams continued to extend her lead with each lap to defend her national title. DeFelice held on for second, and Kristen Smith (San Clemente, Calif.; Team Baghouse) secured third.

Twenty riders rolled out for the Amateur Men’s 19-29 race. Alfonso Hecht (Texas, Texas) and Caleb Nevins (Williamsburg, Va.; Tidewater Challenge) rode away from the field on the first lap. Ryder Jordin (Holladay, Utah; KUHL Cycling Team) bridged across on lap four to form a lead group of three. The trio watched each other closely while keeping the pace high and remained together heading into the last lap. Jordin and Hecht entered the final corner side-by-side, with Jordin winning the sprint and the Stars and Stripes jersey. Hecht earned silver, while Nevins crossed the line just three seconds down to take bronze.

In the Masters Men’s 30-39 race, a six-rider lead group formed early on and set the pace at the front. Heading into the bell lap, Gus Michaels (Brevard, N.C.) made his attack, splitting the group and riding clear to earn the national title. Andrew Giniat (Asheville, N.C.; Clif Family Drifters Cycling) secured second, while Jacob Zimmerman (Palm City, Fla.; Z Boys Racing) finished third.

The Masters Men 40+ closed out the morning’s races with 32 starters. A seven-rider lead group quickly separated from the field and stayed together for much of the race. It ultimately came down to a two-up sprint between Brian McCulloch (Yucaipa, Calif.; Big Wheel Coaching ENVE Shimano Cyclery USA) and Joel LaFrance (Plymouth, Minn.; Donkey Label Racing). McCulloch narrowly took the win and defended his national title. LaFrance claimed silver, and Robert Marion (Mount Airy, N.C.; Cycleworks) earned bronze.

In the Junior Women’s 11-12 race, Silvia Palomaki (Marquette, Mich.; Sisu Cycles Factory Racing) established an early advantage, attacking the field on the opening lap and quickly building a substantial gap. A three-rider chase formed behind her, but Palomaki proved too strong and crossed the line solo to win the Stars and Stripes jersey. Her sister, Stella Palomaki (Marquette, Mich.; Sisu Cycles Factory Racing), broke away from the chase to earn silver, while Raven Kemp-Hudson (Williams Bay, Wis.; Molly Maid-Byron Health and Healing) took the third spot on the podium.

Twenty-four riders lined up for 15 minutes of racing in the Junior Men’s 11-12 category. Five riders moved to the front and opened a gap, with the group gradually thinning as the race unfolded. In the end, Nolan Elkins (Ramona, Calif.; Elkins Bros Racing) outsprinted Cooper Wells (Durango, Colo.; TWL) to win the national title. Jack O’Donnell (Delmar, N.Y.; Capital Bicycle Racing Club) finished third.

With outdoor temperatures rising, 31 athletes lined up for their 15-minute race. The pace was high from the start, quickly creating splits in the field. A four-rider lead group formed, including Aspen Revallo (Occidental, Calif.; Slay Development Team), Alys Stevens (Bentonville, Ark.; Miller School of Albemarle), Emma Watkins (Boise, Idaho; TRIBE), and Jocelyn Schouten (Plymouth, Wis.; Linear Sport MTB Bike Team). Revallo eventually pulled away from the group and rode in solo to win the national title. Stevens finished just three seconds back to earn silver, with Watkins close behind in third.

The Junior Men 13-14 closed out the afternoon and featured the largest field of the day with 57 starters. Max Thornton (Spring Hill, Tenn.; Hub Youth Cycling) attacked from the whistle and opened a small advantage, but with a chase group close behind keeping him within sight. Weston Elkins (Ramona, Calif.; Elkins Bros Racing) was the only rider able to stay close in the concluding laps, passing Thornton through the final corners. The two entered the finishing straight side-by-side, where Elkins ultimately won the sprint and the Stars and Stripes jersey. Thornton’s hard-fought effort earned him silver. Chase O’Donnell (Delmar, N.Y.; Capital Bicycle Racing Club), who started the race sitting 42nd on the call-up sheet, powered his way through the pack to land the third podium spot. 

Full results from Wednesday’s events can be found here.

Short track continues tomorrow at Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke for the Junior, Under-23, and Elite fields. Click here for the full event schedule.

Photo credit: SnowyMountain Photography