Mountain Biker Riley Amos Gears Up For Olympic Debut Alongside Trusty Teammates

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.”

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. 

The four riders will collectively aim to snap the U.S. drought as Olympic mountain biking cross-country is staged at the Elancourt Hill venue, located about 25 miles southwest of Paris. The man-made course ascends to a peak elevation of more than 750 feet, with views of the Eiffel Tower, La Défense and forests surrounding the elegant French capital.

Amos and fellow riders rode the 4.4-kilometer course for the first time at test events in 2023. He estimates that the Olympic cross-country race should run between one hour and 20 to 30 minutes, on July 29.

“There are definitely some steep, awkward rock gardens, drops and rolls that are intimidating and challenging for sure,” Amos says, describing the Elancourt Hill terrrain. “The climbs are pretty good, steep, and sustained and then you lose all the elevation super quickly straight down.”

Amos and Blevins will be racing against bonafide stars like Nino Schurter (SUI) and Tom Pidcock (GBR), the two riders victors at the past two Olympic Games, respectively, at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

“I have shown that I can be competitive with the elite riders, but I think when everyone is firing for Olympic medals on race day, it’s going to be really interesting,” Amos assesses. “I’d like to surprise some people.

“A top 10 ride would be a great day and maybe a top five ride would be an outstanding day. I’m going to give it everything and see where I slot in.”

As a young mountain biking star who frequently leaves his under-23 competitors in the dirt with the best likely still to come, Amos has larger ambitions than just amassing international victories. He envisions making an impactful contribution toward growing the sport across the United States.

“It’s definitely something that I’ve started to take a lot more involvement with – Christopher, myself and Bjorn Riley are spearheading this new generation,” he said. “It’s super cool hanging out with these young riders and sharing my experiences.

“The biggest thing is the subconscious motivation and pioneeering that we can give these young riders. It’s massive for sure.”

The trail to further growing the sport begins with enhanced Olympic and media exposure, perhaps propelled by inspiring Team USA rides on race day at the 2024 Games. Embracing the endeavor as Riley has – with a little help from his U.S. Olympic friends – is essential towards turning these goals into reality. Both on and off the switchback, dirt trails.

Accomplishing this along the ride, Riley will certainly make his mountain biking family back home in Durango exceedingly proud.