Zirconia, North Carolina – The 2024 USA Cycling Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships kicked off at Ride Rock Creek on Thursday, with ten athletes securing national titles in the Dual Slalom competition. This year’s event, now in its second year at Ride Rock Creek, has attracted over 500 riders competing across three disciplines: Dual Slalom, Enduro, and Downhill.
The day began under scorching heat and humidity, but was soon interrupted by a severe storm that drenched the dual slalom track. As a result, organizers had to cancel the non-championship dual slalom finals. The track crew worked tirelessly to restore the course, and by Friday, it had dried sufficiently to facilitate high-speed, thrilling racing.
Nathan Kitchen, the reigning Junior Men’s 15-18 National Champion from Bakersfield, California, and a competitor in the Elite category this year, demonstrated exceptional speed, setting some of the fastest qualifying times. Despite a strong initial performance from world champion downhill racer and Ride Rock Creek founder Neko Mullaly of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, who ended up as the number 11 seed after qualifications, Mullaly’s local advantage propelled him into the finals against Kitchen. Nikolas Nestoroff of San Marcos, California, initially secured the second seed but was pushed into the small final by Mullaly in the semi-finals, ultimately finishing with the bronze. The Elite final saw a nail-biting contest between Kitchen and Mullaly. Kitchen won the first run, and though Mullaly fought hard in the second, he narrowly missed out, with Kitchen clinching the Elite National Title.
In the Elite Women’s category, 16-year-old Teagan Heap from Boulder City, Nevada, overcame an early ankle injury to reach the finals against defending champion Kale Cushman from Old Town, Maine. Despite Heap’s valiant effort, Cushman, who had already established herself with a top qualifying time, went on to win her second consecutive Elite National Title. Caitlyn Farmer of Atlanta, Georgia, who had qualified first, was defeated by Cushman in the semi-finals and finished third after the small final.
In the Elite Men’s category, Ryder Lawrence from Menifee, California, set the fastest qualifying times but stumbled in the semi-finals, landing him in the small final. Alexander Blanar of Eagle, Colorado, and Gavin Tomlinson from Burbank, California, advanced to the big final with strong performances throughout the day. Tomlinson emerged victorious, securing the National Title.
Friday’s morning sessions featured the Amateur categories. As the track conditions improved, Eli Bundy from Fort Collins, Colorado, and Jack Sharples from Boone, North Carolina, posted impressive times in the Junior Men’s 13-14 and Men’s 19-29 categories, respectively, earning national titles in their divisions. Margaret Griggs from Washington, Georgia, topped the qualifiers and went on to claim gold in the Women’s 19+ category. In the Junior Men’s 15-16 division, Luke Mallen from Sandy, Utah, delivered consistent performances to secure the Stars and Stripes jersey.
The championship continues over the next two days with more thrilling competitions in Enduro and Downhill.
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