​I’ve envisioned myself here millions of times. Sweat still glistening on my arms as my hand rests on my chest, dust on my legs, cheeks cherry red, and my national anthem in the air. To actually be standing there, looking out to the crowd, was surreal. ​

There is always a nervous energy and excitement filling the air at the first World Cup of the season. All the winter preparations are about to be put to the test against the best in the world. We’ve all set our own expectations, we can feel the pressure, and the unknown is thrilling, yet absolutely nerve-racking. Who will prove to be the fastest?

It was a special feeling to get on my first World Cup podium. I have no words, all I know is that I'm just getting started.

Back in my hometown. Soldier Hollow, only a 30 minute drive from Park City and where I grew up racing my bike. It'd been a little while since I'd raced on home soil, since the NICA High School League my freshman year and multiple cross-country nordic events throughout the winters, and I could hardly hold in my excitement. The positive energy and support that I experienced was greater than I could have ever imagined. This played a big role in allowing my to have some breakthrough rides that would build my confidence for the race season ahead.

It's not often in XC racing that you get sent out on track alone, with only your own burning legs, lungs, and mind to keep pushing you forwards. I'd done this more in nordic skiing events than on the bike, funny since SoHo is where I've done most of my skinny ski racing, and it's nothing less than brutal.
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I found myself in third place to start off the stage race, following behind a flying Katerina Nash and Savilia Blunk. It felt good to get the racing underway and it was obvious that the racing was going to be neck and neck!

In the cross-country event, Erin Huck and I raced in a way that you absolutely dream of as a cyclist. Tight battles like this are what make racing so exciting and it was a thrill to be riding neck and neck for the win with such a talented rider like Erin. I was fueled by the cheers of my home crowd and was proud to finish in second after giving my absolute all. 

My race in the marathon on the final day was far from anything I expected. I absolutely surprised myself with the way that I raced on the day and crossing the finish line with a win was an incredible feeling. I progressed each day throughout the event and this gave me a new confidence for what I am capable of. Beyond that, I had unbeatable support from the Clif Pro Team, my family, and friends. It's always special to be surrounded by so many amazing people in the cycling community.

The Whiskey 50, known for its lively cycling culture and brutal course through the Prescott trails. I'd never raced this long, but I’d heard the hype and excitement rushed through me to try this style of event. Accustomed to the XCO style of racing, I hadn’t experienced much like it before. What I took away from this race, more so than my fourth place finish, was the gratitude that I have for my mentors. I raced for 50 miles with a teammate by my side and I was filled with the love and appreciation for what makes mountain biking so special. It’s not so much the results as it is the people that support you and share the experiences with you along the way. 

Friday brought the fat tire crit and a stacked women's field. After a thrilling evening of racing, our call-up order was determined for Sunday's main event. I've still got a lot to learn in this area of racing. The tactics and short high-end efforts are challenging elements of this style racing, but the tight battles and small seconds between riders make me eager to improve. 

Sunday morning brought the main event and with 50 miles ahead of us I had asked my teammates as many questions as I could think of to prepare for what was ahead. How much should I eat and drink? How should I pace myself? Where are the most important parts of the course? What chainring size are you going to use? Tires? They advised me without hesitation and with a genuine interest in hoping I could go out their and have my best race. Competitors, yes but first teammates.

Off the line the field was held tightly together as the pavement led us through town and into the National Forest. We climbed our way towards the dusty trails and the leaders put in an attack for the single track. I found myself on the best wheel I could have asked for, Katerina. I settled into the pace she was holding, trusting that she knew much better than I how to settle in for the ride ahead. We hit the first long descent and DANGGGGG was she flying through the rocky and loose train. WOOH! What a blast it was to follow her down the trail (or at least I tried to keep up!!) and soon we had caught back up to the leading pack of four.

From there on the race was full of excitement. It was impossible to tell how the race would end up until each rider crossed the line. On the main double track climb the pace lifted and lifted until I had dropped of the pack and three riders were battling ahead for the win. I hoped that I was pacing my effort right and soon found myself back on Catherine's wheel with about half the race to go and two riders up ahead. We pushed the pace together on all the climbs and descents and I couldn't help but give a little whoop as we rode our way through the trails. I was having the best time chasing my teammate, mentor, and friend on an EPIC ride. In the last portion of the race, local Chloe Woodruff flew by us at an impressive speed and not too long after we rode by Erin Huck as she picked herself back up from a small crash. The racing was close and Catherine and I pushed the limits to keep on the podium. In the final portion of the race we had moved from third and fourth position, to fourth and fifth, back to third and fourth and Chloe was in sight as we pace-lined our way down the final pavement stretch. Then the finish came into few, Catharine attacked and we sprinted to the line. WOW was that one amazing race. 

I think this was a special moment for both of us. Crossing the line after pushing each others limits throughout most of the race, shredding the trails together, and then sprinting to the line because both of us are up for a battle to the end. It represents more than just this race, but a relationship that has grown throughout the four years I have been on the CLIF Pro Team. She has helped me grow and improve both on and off the bike. We've traveled all over the world together, through the highs and lows of racing, and have had a whole lot of laughs through it all. I'm lucky to wear the same jersey.

The CLIF Pro Team is mixing it up a bit and making some changes for the 2019 season. We've added two men to the team, Ben Sonntag and Russel Finsterwald, and shifted the event calendar. The values and goals of the team still stand in providing athletes with unwavering support to tackle new challenges and inspire others, the excitement for the racing is as strong as ever. To learn more about this new direction, check out this Peloton Magazine article HERE.

Saturday morning arrived with the U23 women on the line at 8:30am to start off the race day. GO time! During the first climb I was able to move my way to the front of the pack and from there I was completely focused on riding a smooth race. Each lap there was a long climb that brought us to just under 7000ft, followed by a dusty downhill with continuous natural rock features. I was completely in my zone, and towards the end of the final descent, I finally realized that I was about to win this thing. U23 Pan American Champion.... That feels pretty dang good.

The success continued for Team USA throughout the day on Saturday, with titles going to Christopher Blevins in the U23 men and Kate Courtney in the elite women, but the racing wasn't over quite yet. Sunday brought the heat once again, this time for the COPA International C1 XCO. 

I competed with the elite women and after an exciting race in a talented field, I finished in 4th place with the USA ladies owning the podium.

Pan American Championships results for Team USA:
Team Relay:  2nd place
Junior Men: 2nd place for Riley Amos
U23 Women: 1st place for me
U23 Men: 1st for Christopher Blevins
Elite Women: 1st for Kate Courtney, 2nd for Erin Huck, and 5th for Chloe Woodruff
Elite Men: 4th for Keegan Swenson
COPA International XCO C1:
Junior Men: 1st for Riley Amos
Elite Women: 1st for Kate Courtney, 2nd for Erin Huck, 4th for me, and 5th for Chloe Woodruff
Elite Men: 1st for Keegan Swenson

​Read more from @USACycling HERE:

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I will be an ambassador for Little Bellas! This program has changed the lives of so many young girls and I have been so lucky to witness its impact with my own eyes. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with all the strong women involved with this newly launched program as we work together to get more girls on bikes! I'll be focused on the chapter in my hometown of Park City, Utah and am excited to watch it continue to grow. 

To learn more about what Little Bellas and the ambassador program is all about, check out these links!