With ambitious World Championship and Olympic goals, Team USA names its 98-rider team

Quinn Simmons winning the 2019 UCI World Championships Junior Road Race

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 6 June 2022

USA Cycling is eyeing some pretty ambitious goals for the coming six years, including World Championship podiums, 7-10 medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and another 12-15 medals at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Today, the American federation announced just which riders were selected to fulfill those objectives.

The USA Cycling National Team sports a roster of 98 riders across BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing, Cyclocross, Mountain Bike Cross-Country, Mountain Bike Downhill, Road, Track Endurance, and Track Sprint.

These athletes were invited to the team based on discipline-specific criteria, including their performances at prominent international and domestic events in 2021.

The team is made up of 49 women and 49 men, 16 current and former World Champions, and 25 Olympians that collectively hold six Olympic medals.

For riders, being part of the national team means access to training facilities, camps, coaches, experts and other resources to help them perform their best. It also means they're long-listed for the upcoming World Championship and Olympic teams.

Brendan Quirk, USA Cycling’s President and CEO, said that serving the National Team riders is "a top priority for USA Cycling." And with a mix of experienced riders and young talent, they seem to be playing the long game, hoping to develop the most competitive team possible for the 2028 Olympics.

“Our Sports Performance coaching staff has created a culture to help them win. Our emphasis is on supporting the whole athlete, both physically and emotionally. We look forward to welcoming these riders and building out the team in the years to come,” said Jim Miller, Chief of Sport Performance, in a statement.

Here's who's on Team USA for road and track:

Cole Kessler (Israel – Premier Tech)

Leah Thomas (Trek-Segafredo)

Chloé Dygert (CANYON//SRAM Racing)

Cyclocross - Women

Christopher Grice (Specialized Factory Racing)

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Cycling Weekly's North American Editor, Anne-Marije Rook is old school. She holds a degree in journalism and started out as a newspaper reporter — in print! She can even be seen bringing a pen and notepad to the press conference.

Originally from the Netherlands, she grew up a bike commuter and didn't find bike racing until her early twenties when living in Seattle, Washington. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle's hilly streets on a steel single speed, Rook's progression in the sport was a quick one. As she competed at the elite level, her journalism career followed, and soon, she became a full-time cycling journalist. She's now been a journalist for two decades, including 12 years in cycling.