2025 Mid Season Race Block
Pam American Championship - Team Replay 2025 - Costa Rica
4.26.25 - Continental Championships, San José, Costa Rica
The first race of this mid-season block was the Continental Championship in San José, Costa Rica, one of the key targets on my calendar. I went all in during the five-week build-up: focused training, dialed nutrition, and a strong emphasis on mental preparation. I gave everything I had to be ready.
The course was extremely flat, which posed a real challenge for me as a smaller rider. I knew it wouldn't play to my strengths, but I stayed positive and committed to making the most of the opportunity.
One of the highlights of the week was being selected to represent the U.S. in the Team Relay. It was an incredible experience, and I'm proud to have contributed to the team's achievement of the silver medal.
Unfortunately, the XCO didn't go as planned. The leaders pulled away on the long, flat sections, and I had to settle for 4th. It was tough to fall short of the result I'd aimed for, especially after such a dedicated build-up. But looking back, I'm proud of the effort I put in. I raced hard on a course that didn't suit me at all and still came away with a solid result.
I know the terrain and race dynamics in Europe will be a different story.
5-.17.25 - Heubach, Germany
The second race of this block took place in Heubach, Germany. For this one and the next, I took a slightly different approach. Rather than hyper-focusing on the race every second, I allowed myself to enjoy the whole European experience. That shift in mindset helped alleviate some pressure, kept nerves in check, and made it easier to bounce back when things didn't go exactly as planned.
The course in Heubach played to my strengths, with over 3,200 feet of elevation gain packed into just over 9 miles. It was an actual climber's course and a great test of my form against some of the toughest junior competitions in the world.
I had a rough start, losing time in the start loop and getting caught behind in the pack. The fast, aggressive starts that make European racing so difficult is still something I'm working to master, and it cost me early on. Still, I didn't back down; I fought for every position and pushed hard to the line. I was aiming for a stronger finish than 13th, but I'm proud of the resilience I showed and the fitness I've built. So far, the theme of this block is moving forward, as not every race will go your way.
5.24.25 - World Cup, Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic
The final race of this block was the biggest Junior Series event on the calendar, a World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic. This is one of the most iconic stops in the series, bringing together the top junior and elite teams from around the world. It's a high-stakes event and an incredible opportunity to show what you're capable of on the world stage.
Team USA walked the track and pre-rode during the official sessions leading up to race day. I felt confident in the course and was genuinely enjoying the atmosphere. I knew this was the kind of venue where I could put together a strong performance.
This race proved a lot to me. It showed that I have what it takes to fight for the podium while also making it clear where I still need to improve. A rough start dropped me back to 44th, 47 seconds behind the leaders, but I stayed composed, raced smart, and pushed hard to the finish. I managed to work my way up to 9th place, just one minute off the front. Over the course of the race, I lost only 13 seconds to the leaders, a sign that my fitness was there. Now it's time to refine the details, tackle my weaknesses, and carry this momentum into the second half of the season.
Next up, Canmore, CA, and Moussila Mt.
