Blevins takes Silver in U23 Cross-Country in Leogang

October 9, 2020

U.S. Worlds Team claims first medal at Mountain Bike World Championships

LEOGANG, AUSTRIA – During the third day of the 2020 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Leogang, Austria, Christopher Blevins (Durango, Colo.; Specialized Factory Racing) takes home silver in the U23 Men’s Cross-Country race.

“It was a solid race all in all. I rode my own race from the start and Tom Pidcock was flying so I didn’t get swept up in trying to chase him early. I just settled into a rhythm and tried to stay smooth in the crazy [course] conditions. It’s really awesome that we’re even here racing and kudos to everyone who helped us get here. To top it off with a medal this week is an awesome feeling,” said Blevins.

Out of the gate, Blevins led the race with British rider Tom Pidcock. The two broke away early and maintained the gap the entire race. As the pair entered the second lap, Pidcock pulled away and kept a steady lead on Blevins for the rest of the race finishing in a time of 1:08:15. Blevins finished 1 minutes and 52 seconds behind him.

Jim Miller, USA Cycling’s Chief of Sport Performance, is excited about Team USA’s first medal of the week, “I’m very proud of Christopher’s ride. Chris prepared very well for this short World Cup series and World Championships. Christopher rode a great race, but Tom Piddock was simply too good today.”

Pidcock and Blevins finished in the same positions last week at the second UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Nove Mesto, and were coming into the World Championships as race favorites. Since signing his first pro contract in 2017, Blevins has had a successful start to his career. With his silver medal at the2018 U23 Men’s Cross-Country World Championship and other stand out performances,he was named to the Mountain Bike Olympic Long team for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

Results:

 U23 Men’s Cross-Country

1. Tom Pidcock            GBR    1:08:15
2. Christopher Blevins USA    +1:52
3. Joel Roth                    SUI      +3:05

The 2020 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships continues through the weekend with the Elite and U23 Women Cross-Country races tomorrow and the Downhill finals on Sunday.

U23 Women’s Cross-Country

Start Time:

10:00am Local Time / 1:00am PT / 4:00am ET

Who To Watch:

Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Specialized Factory Racing)

Elite Women’s Cross-Country

Start Time:

12:15pm Local Time / 3:15am PT / 6:15am ET

Who To Watch:

Kate Courtney (Kentfield, Calif.; SCOTT/ SRAM Racing)

Erin Huck (Boulder, Colo.; Stages Cycling-Scott)

Elite Men’s Cross-Country

Start Time:

2:45pm Local Time / 5:45am PT / 8:45am ET

Who To Watch:

Keegan Swenson (Park City, Utah; Stan’s-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis)

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ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)

USA Cycling is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Within the United States, USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to seasoned professionals. The organization not only identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but also supports amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing.

USA Cycling is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020. In 1920, the organization began as The Amateur Bicycle League of America and evolved to become the United States Cycling Federation in 1975 and ultimately USA Cycling, Inc. in 1995. USA Cycling’s 100,000+ members are comprised of racers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, coaches, officials, mechanics, and race directors.