Christopher Blevins and Savilia Blunk are crowned 2026 U.S. XCO Champions

Christopher Blevins and Savilia Blunk were the main protagonists of the 2026 U.S. MTB Championships, being crowned national champions of XCO in the elite category. The event, held on the demanding Black Course circuit, also crowned Dan English and Greta Kilburn as the new under-23 champions.

Christopher Blevins regains the national XCO jersey and Savilia Blunk completes the double

In the men's race, Blevins took revenge after finishing second in the Short Track held on Thursday. The Specialized Racing rider broke away in the second lap after leaving with the reigning champion, Bjorn Riley, at the start of the race. From that moment on, he increased his lead until crossing the finish line alone and reclaiming a national XCO title that he hadn't won since 2023.

Riley could not respond to the attack and finished second, just over a minute later, while Riley Amos secured third place after dropping Ivan Sippy in the battle for the last podium spot.

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After the race, Blevins highlighted the growth of the level of American mountain biking: “It was a very tough race. I knew I had to give it my all to beat Bjorn Riley and Riley Amos, two of the top ten riders in the World Cup. I think the level of men's MTB in the United States is going to skyrocket from here to the Los Angeles Olympics and the World Championship in Durango. I am very excited to find my best form again after the injury I suffered at the beginning of the season”, he explained in statements released by USA Cycling.

Men's Elite Podium U.S. XCO Championship 2026

1. Christopher Blevins
2. Bjorn Riley
3. Riley Amos

Savilia Blunk completes the national double

In the women's category, the absence of the 2025 champion, Kelsey Urban, guaranteed a new winner. Savilia Blunk left no room for doubt and took the lead from the first lap, quickly opening a gap of nearly a minute over Gwendalyn Gibson.

The Decathlon Ford Racing rider progressively increased the difference to win decisively after completing the four laps of the circuit. Gibson finished second, while Crystal Anthony repeated the third place she had already achieved in the XCC.

With this victory, Blunk completes a national double after also winning the Short Track days earlier.

“With this, I finish a block of five weeks competing non-stop. I spent two months in Europe and came straight here. It has been a great effort to race on Thursday and today, but doing it in front of the home crowd makes it totally worth it. Now it's time to rest, but I am very proud to wear the national jersey for the next year in both XCC and XCO”, the American pointed out.

Women's Elite Podium U.S. XCO Championship 2026

1. Savilia Blunk
2. Gwendalyn Gibson
3. Crystal Anthony