The 2022 USA National Champ returned to Winter Park, Colorado, bringing together top riders on a demanding course similar to the previous year.
Amy Morrison, a two-time defending USA National Champ in Enduro mountain biking, faced the challenge with confidence, aiming to defend her title once again.
Early Morning Start on a Challenging MTB Course
The Pro Downhill (DH) stage kicked off at 7:30 a.m., with Amy preparing through a focused warm-up.
Dropping onto the technical mountain bike trail right from the gondola, she encountered rugged terrain featuring exposed rocks, tight berms, and tricky sections that could easily cause mechanical issues.
Amy’s goal throughout was to ride smoothly and keep her mountain bike intact, crucial for any rider aiming to win a USA National Champ title.
“Stage 2 included a flat to slight uphill sprint, and considering the racing elevation was above 10,000 feet, I felt strong on my mountain bike,” Amy said.
After the first stage, Amy and Porsha Murdock were nearly tied, separated by just tenths of a second. By the second stage, Amy extended her lead by five seconds, showing why she’s a top contender in the USA National MTB scene.
Flow and Precision on Stage 3
Stage 3 was packed with big berms and flowing terrain, giving riders the chance to hit double rollers. Amy pushed her limits on this mountain bike stage, taking calculated risks to gain time.
“I knew stage 3 was safer to really push hard, and I think I was the only female rider going for a sizable double,” Amy recalled.
Holding Strong Through the Backcountry
Heading into stage 4, Amy had built a solid 16-second lead. This backcountry stage tested riders’ technical skills with narrow trails and sharp rocks. With a comfortable lead, Amy balanced aggression with caution to keep her mountain bike safe and maintain her advantage.
The final stage was short but technical, less than two minutes, with chunky features that demanded focus. Without live timing available, Amy rode with the confidence that she still led but knew she had to keep pushing to secure her victory as the USA National Champ.
Defending the Title: The Pressure and the Triumph
“Winning my third USA Cycling Enduro Mountain Bike National Championship was a huge relief,” Amy shared. “The competition keeps getting tougher, so defending the USA National Champ title is definitely more challenging than winning it the first time.”
Celebrate Amy Morrison — Mountain Bike Excellence Personified
Congratulations to Amy Morrison for winning the 2022 USA National Championships and becoming a three-time USA National Champ! Her dedication, skill, and fearless riding inspire mountain bikers across the country to push their limits.
If you’re passionate about mountain biking and dream of one day becoming a USA National Champ, start by gearing up with the latest MTB bikes and gear, and train hard to elevate your riding.
Read also: Welcome Amy to Polygon Team
