Bjorn Riley and his tough debut in the elite

The jump to the elite category of XCO is never easy, but in the case of Bjorn Riley, one of the great promises of international mountain biking, it is proving to be more complicated than expected.

The best version of Riley is still awaited

The 23-year-old American, signed this season by the powerful SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team, was one of the most consistent cyclists in 2024, stepping onto the podium in almost every U23 World Cup race and finishing the season in 25th place in the overall UCI ranking. Everything pointed to his debut in the elite category marking the beginning of a meteoric career. However, reality is proving to be very different.

Riley was unable to start the 2025 World Cup in Brazil due to health problems and had to abandon both in Val di Sole and in the last race in Andorra, in Pal Arinsal. He has only been able to complete two races this year: he finished 33rd in Nove Mesto and 25th in Leogang.

RECOMENDADO

Jonas Abrahamsen wins the mother of all battles and Pocacar falls before the Pyrenees

Strava updates its recording function: more accuracy, more data, more customization

This weekend the Spanish XCO Championship 2025 arrives: dates, schedules, and favorites

Who are the sponsors of the Tour de France teams and what do they do?

Nino Schurter resurges in Andorra and seems to leave his respiratory problems behind

"Hookless tires are a scam": claims a former technical director of Zipp

Beyond the results, the most notable thing is that his physical problems are preventing him from progressing at the moment. As he himself has revealed, he is suffering from persistent back pain that started in Val di Sole and worsened during the Andorran race.

"I always forget how brutal this sport can be", confessed Riley himself in a recent post on social media, where he explained that he pushed his body too hard in Andorra, worsening discomfort he had been experiencing. Despite this, he remained resilient and reflective: "There are moments like this that hurt, but I believe they are part of the process."

The signing with SCOTT-SRAM, one of the most prestigious teams in the XCO peloton, could have added extra pressure to his debut in the top category. Riley himself knows this, and although the environment has been understanding of his situation, he remains one of the names expected to shape the future of this sport. The contrast between his dominance in U23 and the current lack of continuity is proving to be a bitter pill to swallow. "I cannot thank my team enough for the support and patience they have shown me this year."

Despite the accumulated frustration, Riley maintains faith in his progression: "I don't know when I will be the Bjorn of last year again, but I know I will return. Until then, I will continue to do what I do best.". A statement that shows that, beyond the results, the young man from Boulder (Colorado) retains the right mindset to face this difficult learning curve.

With much of the season still to be played and the support of one of the best teams in the world, Riley surely still has time to finish the season with at least better feelings.