The thrilling 2022 USA National Championships made a spectacular return to Winter Park, Colorado, featuring a challenging course similar to the previous year’s layout.
Amy Morrison, a two-time Enduro National Champion and a dominant force in MTB racing, arrived at the starting line brimming with confidence after clinching the title the year before with a comfortable margin.
A Day of Intense Racing: The Pro DH Stages
The downhill (DH) portion kicked off early at 7:30 am, with Amy warming up and preparing to tackle the rugged terrain directly from the gondola drop-off.
The first two stages featured exposed rocks, tight berms, and tricky sections notorious for causing mechanical issues, making bike handling and control crucial.
Amy’s primary objective was to ride clean and protect her mountain bike from damage throughout these demanding sections.
“Stage 2 had a flat and slightly uphill sprint midway through, and despite racing at an average altitude above 10,000 feet, I felt strong,” Amy shared.
After completing stage 1, Amy and close competitor Porsha Murdock were separated by mere tenths of a second. However, by stage 2, Amy had pulled ahead by a solid five seconds, building momentum for the remainder of the race.
Tackling Stage 3 and Beyond: Flow and Strategy
Stage 3 offered a mix of flowing trails, large berms, and opportunities to perform double rollers—technical features that can separate champions from the pack. Amy was aware this stage gave her the chance to push her limits safely.
“I knew stage 3 was a safer section to really go for it, and I probably was the only female rider taking a sizeable double,” Amy reflected, emphasizing her technical skill on her MTB.
Heading into the challenging stage 4, Amy had built a 16-second lead. This segment was physically demanding, featuring narrow trails and sharp rocky terrain.
Confident in her lead, Amy balanced aggression with caution, pushing hard where it was safe to maintain her advantage.
The final stage was brief—under two minutes—but notoriously difficult, with chunky technical features towards the end.
Without live timing updates, Amy raced with the mindset that her lead was intact after stage 4 but knew she had to give her all to secure the win.
A Hard-Fought Victory: What It Means to Be a USA National Champ
Achieving the title of USA National Champ for the third time brought immense relief and pride for Amy Morrison.
“The pressure this year was definitely higher because the women’s field is getting stronger every season,” Amy admitted. “Holding onto a title is much tougher than winning it the first time.”Amy’s performance at the 2022 USA National Championships solidifies her status as one of the elite riders in the MTB community. Her consistent wins demonstrate not only technical skill but also resilience and dedication to the sport.
