Twenty-one National Titles Awarded on Day Four of the 2026 Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships
Day four of the 2026 USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships opened at Explore Park with the first wave of XCO races. Junior athletes were the first to take on the course, setting the tone for an action-packed day. Temperatures remained high throughout the day, keeping the trails dry as the revamped course layout introduced new challenges for the riders.
The Junior Women 11-12 were first to tackle the newly designed XCO courses. Silvia Palomaki (Marquette, Mich.; Sisu Cycles Factory Racing) attacked during the prologue lap, quickly opened a gap, and never looked back. She held the lead through the finish to earn her second national title of the week. Naia Moctezuma (San Antonio, Texas) rode a strong race to claim silver, finishing just over two minutes behind Palomaki. Raven Kemp-Hudson (Williams Bay, Wis.; Molly Maid-Byron Health and Healing) earned her second bronze medal of the week.
Thirty riders sprinted onto the course for the Junior Men’s 11-12 race. Nolan Elkins (Ramona, Calif.; Elkins Bros Racing) and Cooper Wells (Durango, Colo.; TWL) immediately went head-to-head through the prologue. Elkins used his speed in the singletrack to pull away, becoming the only 11-12 rider to record sub-10-minute lap times. The defending XCO National Champion and Thursday’s XCC winner finished nearly a minute ahead of Wells to complete the weekend double. Wells earned his second silver medal of the week, while Owen Morozowich (Scottsdale, Ariz.; Durango Devo) finished two minutes later to secure bronze.
The Junior Women 13-14 were the first to compete on the Red Course, with 46 riders taking the start. Weslie Winebarger (Durango, Colo.; 2nd Ave Sports/Purenergy) quickly established a gap as she rolled through for the first lap of the Red Course, with Wednesday’s XCC National Champion Aspen Revallo (Occidental, Calif.; Slay Development Team) following closely behind. The duo entered the final lap together before Winebarger pushed the pace and opened a winning gap to claim the national title. Revallo followed seven seconds later to earn silver and her second medal of the week. Jocelyn Schouten (Plymouth, Wis.; Linear Sport Racing Team) rode a strong race, finishing only 32 seconds later for the bronze medal.
Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires and concerning Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the area, the Junior Men’s 13-14 race was shortened from two laps to one lap. A large field of 76 riders launched off the line, with no time to settle into the race. Max Thornton (Spring Hill, Tenn.; Hub Youth Cycling), Wednesday’s XCC National Champion Weston Elkins (Ramona, Calif.; Elkins Bros Racing), and Chase O’Donnell (Delmar, N.Y.; Capital Bicycle Racing Club) completed the prologue together, before Thornton separated himself from the group. After narrowly missing the title earlier in the week, Thornton set a relentless pace and crossed the line nearly 20 seconds ahead of Elkins to claim the Stars and Stripes. O’Donnell delivered another strong performance, climbing his way from an 18th-place call-up to finishing third for his second bronze medal.
After a short break, the afternoon racing resumed with the Amateur and Masters Women. In the Amateur Women’s 19-29 race, Cassidy Frost (Charlotte, Vt.; Frost Beer Works) attacked from the whistle and never looked back, building a three-minute advantage over second place, Arden Rossi (Georges Mills, N.H.; Team KellCat Racing) to take home the national title. Paula Coyos (Elkridge, Md.; ABRT) came out of the prologue in second, but quickly gained steam in the opening lap to ride away with the Masters Women’s 30-34 Stars and Stripes jersey. Carla Williams (Roanoke, Va.; Cardinal Bicycle) added a second gold medal to her collection for the week after taking the win in the Masters Women’s 35-39.
In the Masters Women’s 40-44 race, Serena Defelice (New Egypt, N.J.; Team EPS p/b Brielle Cyclery) won gold, adding to the silver medal she earned on Wednesday for the XCC. Kristen Smith (San Clemente, Calif.; Team Baghouse) returned to Explore Park to successfully defend her Masters Women’s 45-49 national title. Trish Thomas (Durango, Colo.; 2nd Ave Sports/Stans Cycling Team) raced to top honors in the 50-54 race, while Jessica Rockson (Bella Vista, Ark.; Revolution Factory Suspension/Thaden Cycling) won the Women’s 55-59 national title. In the 60-64 category, Elizabeth Sheldon (Washington, D.C.; CXD Trek Bikes) had an incredible ride to take the win. Tamara Tabeek (Ramona, Calif.; KUHL Cycling Team) successfully defended her national title in the Masters Women’s 65-69, and Kim Bear (Santa Fe, N.M.; Spokettes) went home with gold in the 70-74 category.
With multi-time National Champion Kerry Werner (Vinton, Va.) now retired from the sport, the Men’s Singlespeed title was up for grabs. Max Abner (Greenville, S.C.; Robson Forensics) emerged victorious to become the new National Champion. On the women’s side, hometown favorite, Abigail Synder (Roanoke, Va.; Ride Fierce Racing p/b Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge) delivered a commanding ride to earn the Women’s Singlespeed national title.
The E-MTB category returned to Nationals for its fourth year, adding a different element to the day’s racing. Reigning champion Nick Mackie (West Palm Beach, Fla.; Specialized) retained his title after holding off David Kahn (Mills River, N.C.; Pisgah Trail Company), who stayed close throughout the race and finished just five seconds back to earn silver. On the women’s side, Stephanie Lamer (Ocala, Fla.; Santos Bike Shop) took home the Stars and Stripes jersey.
The Amateur Men 19-29, Masters Men 30-34, and Masters Men 35-39 were the final fields of the day, racing the start prologue plus a total of two laps on the Red Course. Ryder Jordin (Holladay, Utah; KUHL Cycling Team) had another impressive ride, which earned him his second Stars and Stripes jersey of the week. In the Masters Men’s 30-34 race, Jacob Zimmerman (Palm City, Fla.; Z Boys Racing) turned in consistent 17:01 lap times to win gold. The Masters Men 35-39 closed out the day’s racing. Gus Michaels (Brevard, N.C.), who won the Men’s 30-34 XCO title last year and the Men’s 35-39 XCC title earlier this week, capped off his week with another victory to complete the XCC/XCO double.
Full results from Friday’s events can be found here.
Racing will continue at Explore Park on Saturday morning for more XCO racing, where the Junior 17-18, Under-23, and Elite fields will all be vying for the Stars and Stripes jersey. Click here for the full event schedule.
Photo credit: SnowyMountain Photography
