Team USA
About Mountain Bike
Modern off-road cycling began in the late 1970’s in Northern California and today it serves as a popular form of both recreation and competition. Mountain biking encompasses many different formats including Cross Country Olympic, Cross Country Short Track, Downhill, Cross Country Eliminator, Marathon, and E-Bike on the national and international stage. Mountain biking is one of the most fun and liberating forms of bike riding, and is engaging for riders of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Join The Team
The National Team is a representation of the top MTB athletes in the USA. These athletes have risen to the top of the field by progressing through the development pathway provided by USA Cycling. The objective of the mountain bike pathway is to provide talented young athletes with the education and opportunities to compete on the world stage. We accomplish this by supporting top development athletes at skills camps, training camps and international competition. These opportunities allow motivated athletes to develop the necessary skill sets and physiological adaptations required to excel at an international level. Once a rider has achieved a spot on the National Team, they have access to world class education, support, guidance and opportunities to succeed on the professional and Olympic stage.
Get Involved
Join A Club
Compete Locally
- Find an Event
- Interscholastic Racing (NICA National | Colorado | Georgia | Washington)
Join A Camp
Prepare & Train
Compete Nationally
Compete Internationally
- European Race Camps
- Pan American Continental Championships
- Pan American Games
- UCI World Cups & World Championships
- Selection Criteria for Major Events
Qualify for National Team
Qualify for Olympic Team
Athlete Development Pathway
USA Cycling’s Athlete Development Pathway defines structured development tiers with multiple levels of programming for athletes in their journey to the USA Cycling National Team. The Athlete Development Pathway leads program design both at the club and national levels, all while educating parents and athletes about the multiple opportunities available to them on their journey from local results to international achievement.
1. Day Camps (Coming Soon)
2. Talent Identifiers (Coming Soon)
3. Regional Camps (Click to View Below)
4. Development Team (Click to View Below)
5. European Race Camps (Click to View Below)
6. National Team Programming (Click to View Below)
Regional Camps - LEARN MORE
2023 Schedule
Development Team - LEARN MORE
2023 Schedule
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| March 1-5 | Brevard Training Camp | Brevard, NC |
| April 8-11 | Arkansas Training Camp | Fayetteville, AR |
| April 12-16 | Oz Trails U.S. Pro Cup p/b Experience Fayetteville | Fayetteville, AR |
| June 7-10 | Missoula XC | Missoula, MT |
| June 10-16 | Canada Training Camp | Banff, Alberta, Canada |
| June 16-19 | Canmore Canada Cup | Canmore, Alberta, Canada |
| July TBD | Nationals Prep Camp | TBD |
| July TBD | USA Cycling National Championships | TBD |
Cost* - $7,500
4 domestic training camps + 4 domestic racing events
Including:
- full cycling training plan
- full strength & conditioning training plan
- access to nutritionists and sports psychologists
- deep discount on bikes
- Team trips are all-inclusive and fully-covered: food, lodging, transportation on the ground, race entry fees, coaching, mechanics, race-day support, nutrition, etc.
*Additional Fees
- Team Clothing - $750
- Transportation to and from events
APPLICATION CLOSED
European Race Camps - LEARN MORE
The MTB XCO European Race Camp will learn hands-on in Europe, racing in multiple UCI races, training under the guidance of top coaches, and experiencing iconic courses. Athletes will be immersed in complete education sessions in strength training, skills, nutrition, tactics, sports psychology and more!
2023 Schedule
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Pending Nationals Dates) | European Racing & Training Camp | Sittard, Netherlands |
Trip Details:
- Athletes must be race age 17-18
- Minimum of 3 European race days
- Top tier European coaching from a Internationally experienced staff
- How to live in Europe and succeed as an athlete
- European race skills and tactics
- Live on Dutch Nationals course + location of UCI race for daily training
Cost - $4,500
- 3-week European race and training camp, including team clothing and all on-site logistics.
*Additional Fees
- Flights to and from Europe
APPLY NOW
Applications due by May 1, 2023
National Team Programming
The ultimate goal of the U.S. MTB National Team is to win Olympic and World Championship medals. The following development efforts directly support this mission by providing opportunities to top U23 and Junior U.S. Mountain Bike athletes to gain the skills and experience needed to progress in the sport and compete at the highest level.
2023 Schedule
| DATE | EVENT | LOCATION | APPLICATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 3-11 | Bentonville Training & Skills Camp #1 | Bentonville, AR | INVITE ONLY |
| May 9 - July 3 | European Racing Block #1 - U23 | Europe:
| INVITE ONLY |
| May 9-29 | European Racing Block - Junior | Europe: | APPLY |
| June 6 - July 3 | European Racing Block #2 - U23 | Europe:
| APPLY |
| TBD | Bentonville Training & Skills Camp #2 | Bentonville, AR | Applications Coming Soon |
Oct. 3-9 | Mont Sainte Anne World Cup - U23 | Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, CAN | Applications Coming Soon |
For more information on selections for these opportunities, click here.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST
Be the first to know about new development camps and opportunities that are added to the schedule.
What is the National Team Designation?
USA Cycling is responsible for supporting and guiding athletes capable of winning Olympic medals, while also identifying, recruiting and developing future Games athletes. Our vision is to be amongst the very best in the world at talent identification, athlete development, management and preparation in all cycling disciplines. The National Team Designation is considered a critical means for achieving this vision. The support provided through the program seeks to offset some of the expenses associated with preparing for and participating in international sport. The program aims to support and assist athletes with the greatest potential to win medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
2024 National Team Designation Objective Criteria
MEET THE TEAM
Olympic Games
July 26 - August 11, 2024
Paris, France
Mountain Bike XCO Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
Pan American Games
October 20 - November 5, 2023
Santiago, Chile
Selection Criteria
Staff Selection Procedures
Discretionary Petition Form
Mountain Bike World Championships
August 8 - 12, 2023
Glasgow, Scotland
Cross-Country (XCO, XCC, XCR) Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
Downhill (DHI) Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
E-MTB Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
Marathon (XCM) Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: UCI Cycling World Championships - Mountain Bike
Cross-Country Eliminator World Championships
October 15, 2023
Palangkaraya, Indonesia
Eliminator (XCE) Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
Mountain Bike World Cups
For more information on UCI World Cup Athlete Eligibility, Event Registration Process, and Athlete Petition Process: Click here
For more information on the Enduro World Series Athlete Eligibility and Registration, please visit: UCI Mountain Bike World Series
2023 Schedule
March 25-26: Maydena (EDR)
April 1-2: Derby (EDR)
May 12-14: Nove Mesto (XCO) - Registration/ Petition Form
June 3-4: Finale Ligure (EDR)
June 9-11: Lenzerheide (XCO, XCC, DHI) - Registration/ Petition Form
June 15-18: Leogang (XCO, XCC, DHI, EDR) - Registration/ Petition Form
June 24-25: Val di Fassa (EDR)
June 30-July 2: Val di Sole (XCO, XCC, DHI) - Registration/ Petition Form
August 25-27: Pal Arinsal (XCO, XCC, DHI) - Registration/ Petition Form
September 1-3: Loudenvielle (DHI, EDR) - Registration/ Petition Form
September 7-17: Les Gets (XCO, XCC, XCM, DHI, EDR) - Registration/ Petition Form
September 28-October 1: Snowshoe (XCO, XCC, XCM, DHI) - Registration/ Petition Form
October 6-8: Monte-Sainte-Anne (XCO, XCC, DHI) - Registration/ Petition Form
For the most up-to-date schedule, please visit: UCI Mountain Bike World Cups and the UCI Mountain Bike World Series
Mountain Bike Continental Championships
CROSS-COUNTRY: April 26-30, 2023 - Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
XCO Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
MARATHON: June 17-18, 2023 - Antioquia, Columbia
XCM Selection Criteria
Discretionary Petition Form
DOWNHILL: October 19-22, 2023 - Cusco, Peru
UCI Junior Series XCO
UCI Athlete Entry System and Criteria
According to new UCI requirements, all athletes competing in a 2023 UCI Junior Series XCO race outside of their country of residence must have at least 20 UCI points (in Europe) and 1 UCI point (outside of Europe) in the latest UCI XCO individual junior ranking, or belong to a UCI Elite MTB Team or UCI MTB Team. Riders who meet either of these criteria should register for the event independently via the event registration site.
For athletes who do not meet the above criteria:
- When a UCI Junior Series event is taking place outside the N. American continent, USA Cycling may approve a maximum of 5 supplementary athletes for each junior category (17-18 men & women).
- When a UCI Junior Series event is taking place within N. America continent, USA Cycling may approve a maximum of 10 supplementary athletes for each junior category (17-18 men & women).
- When a Junior Series event is taking place within the United States, it is the discretion of the event organizer with USA Cycling to determine the number of supplementary American athletes that will be allowed to register.
To apply to be a supplementary athlete: UCI MTB Junior Series Entry Petition
Please note: All supplementary athletes must still enter the competition independently of USA Cycling via the event registration site before the entry deadline.
UCI Junior Series Supplemental Athlete Guiding Principles
When considering supplemental athlete starting positions, USA Cycling will use the following guiding principles when approving starting positions: Prior results in UCI international competitions, UCI Junior Series events, USA Cycling’s National Championships and top level domestic events.
UCI Junior Series Event Deadlines
- UCI Junior Series event supplementary athlete applications will close 6 weeks prior to the UCI Junior Series event you are petitioning for.
- Please include in your petition the event in which you are applying for.
- USA Cycling will notify all supplementary athletes of their selection 4 weeks prior to the UCI Junior Series event.
For the UCI Junior Series events, click here.
For UCI event information, click here.
Selection Process & Athlete Selection Committee
USA Cycling is responsible for selecting the athletes who represent the United States in Protected Competitions. For more information on the athlete selection process, click here.
Jesse
Anthony
Mountain Bike and Cyclocross Director
Background
Jesse joined USA Cycling as the first full-time Cyclocross Manager in December of 2018 after a professional racing career that spanned from 2006-2018. He brings over 20 years of competitive and development experience to the USA Cycling National Team, and is a passionate advocate of holistic athlete development. His experience and knowledge of the development and elite competitive environment help to set USA Cycling’s National Team athletes up for sustainable success in the future. Jesse grew up in Beverly, MA, and is now based at USA Cycling’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO.
Alec
Pasqualina
Athlete Development Pathways Director
Background
Alec joined USA Cycling in early 2021 to kickstart the Olympic Development Academy, USA Cycling’s redesigned development program across all cycling disciplines. Alec is a former professional mountain bike and cyclocross racer who participated in previous iterations of USA Cycling’s development programming bringing firsthand knowledge and experience to the ODA. In addition to coaching athletes of all disciplines on the side, Alec spent nearly three years working for TrainingPeaks where he contributed to product enhancements, data analysis, coaching education, and customer retention. With coaching experience, product knowledge, and firsthand experiences, Alec plans to leverage his knowledge to grow the ODA into a pipeline for athletes of all abilities and backgrounds to make the USA Cycling National Team.
A native of Danville, Calif., Alec studied Communication Studies, Political Science, and Entrepreneurial Leadership at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. He now resides in Boulder, Colorado.
Jim
Miller
Chief of Sport Performance
Background
A successful professional cyclist in his own right, Jim coached several cyclists on the side and eventually retired from racing in 1999 to focus solely on his flourishing coaching career. After developing several notable cyclists, he originally came to USA Cycling to run the women’s road program in 2002. After earning Coach of the Year distinctions from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2003 & 2004, Jim was promoted to director of endurance programs, overseeing the development of American junior, U23, and women endurance athletes in road and track cycling. After making significant strides toward the USA Cycling National Development Program’s goal of developing the next generation of American cyclists, he was named Vice President of Athletics in 2010. In 2017 Jim left USA Cycling to become the Vice President of Business Development for Training Peaks. Unable to resist the Olympic call, he returned to USA Cycling in 2020 as the Chief of Sport Performance.
In his spare time, Jim also provides day-to-day training programs for athletes such as 2018 Mountain Bike XCO World Champion Kate Courtney and international stars like Chloé Dygert and Christopher Blevins. He has earned the International Olympic Committee’s highest honor for coaches, the Order of Ikkos, three times, all for coaching 3-time Olympic Champion Kristen Armstrong to victory.
A native of Casper, Wyo., Jim also earned a Bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Colorado State University. Miller resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife and two children.
Andi
Zolton
Mountain Bike Development Coach
Background
Over the last 20 years, Andi has worked in many facets of the cycling world: as mechanic, racer of many disciplines (enduro, cyclocross, XC, road, downhill), event organizer, brand ambassador, mountain bike guide, and more. She has spent the last five years as the co-owner of Roam Events, putting on world-renowned bike parties all over the country. She loves the bicycle; not just the machine itself, but the way in which it brings people together and teaches us about ourselves.
Andi started working with USA Cycling as a mechanic for the ODA Cyclocross program, and is honored to continue with the MTB program in a coaching capacity. She is excited to pass on her knowledge and experience to help athletes become the best humans and cyclists they can be, in that order.
Having cut her teeth on the loamy mountain bike trails of Western Washington, Andi now resides in Grand Junction, Colorado where she cuts her knees and elbows on the rocky terrain of the Western Slope. She studied Microbiology and Chemistry at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she played NCAA Division I Softball.