Round two of the Pro Downhill National Series roared into action at the legendary Mountain Creek Bike Park in Vernon, New Jersey. With over two decades of history, this venue is considered one of the top downhill spots in the U.S., and it did not disappoint.
KHS Pro MTB rider Shane Leslie on track at the second stop of the National downhill series at Mountain Creek NJ.
In the Elite Men’s category, Shane Leslie represented the team with a strong performance, securing an impressive top-20 finish. Remarkably, this was Shane’s first time back on a downhill bike in over five years, and he was quickly finding his pace. This return to form bodes well for his future in Enduro, where we expect him to be a serious podium contender.
KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten on track at the second stop of the National downhill series at Mountain Creek NJ.
Our Elite Women also delivered stellar results, with both Bella Nodding and McKenna Merten holding it down. McKenna powered her way to an 11th-place finish, while the weekend’s big headline was Bella claiming 3rd place—earning a podium spot for both herself and the team.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the podium at the second stop of the National downhill series at Mountain Creek NJ.
With some of the world’s best international downhill racers in attendance, this national round was a major success and a proud moment for the entire team. Next up, we shift gears and head to Round One of the Big Mountain Enduro Series, taking place just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Stay tuned!
Pro Downhill Series Round 2 was last modified: May 14th, 2025 by Flick
The KHS Pro MTB team has had a strong start to the 2025 season, having already completed two national events and showcasing impressive performances across both. With riders fine-tuning their skills and strategies.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton in the hot seat at the Tennessee National held in Windrock.
“The Tennessee National at Windrock Bike Park was awesome, the course was fast and technical with a lot of big features at the bottom. The women’s field was so stacked with people from all over the world including many top World Cup racers.” -McKenna Merten
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Tennessee National held in Windrock.
Three days after the team finished up in Tennessee, they were off to the first stop of the Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series at Ride Rock Creek.
KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten at the Tennessee National held in Windrock.
“I was excited for this race as the weather was awesome and I was building more confidence on the bike. The track was gnarly and high speed with lots of lines to figure out.” Bella Naughton
KHS Pro MTB rider McKenna Merten out on the track at the Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series at Ride Rock Creek.
The KHS Pro MTB team has had a strong start to the 2025 season, having already completed two national events and showcasing impressive performances across both. With riders fine-tuning their skills and strategies, the team is now focused on the upcoming Sea Otter Classic this weekend in Monterey, California. The Sea Otter Classic, a premier event in the cycling world, offers a mix of thrilling competitions and an expansive expo, making it a crucial point in the season for the team to continue building momentum. As they head into this iconic race, the KHS Pro MTB team is ready to compete, connect with the cycling community, and set the stage for the rest of the 2025 season.
Race Season is Back! was last modified: April 8th, 2025 by Flick
The last time I did a downhill race (which was actually my first ever downhill race) was in 2018 at National Champs in Snowshoe, West Virginia where I became Junior Downhill National Champion. I have been wanting to do some more downhill racing for a while now and with the enduro season winding down I thought the Monster Pro Downhill Series in Big Bear, California would be the perfect opportunity.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
Only practicing and racing one track was different for me coming from enduro but I really enjoyed having to pick apart and learn every inch of the track. We raced a trail called 10-ply and the Big Bear trail crew did an incredible job changing up the trail for the race. The loose, moon dust, dirt was ever changing and it really kept you on your toes because a rut that was there one lap could be blown and gone the next.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
It was a fun challenge and it made for some great racing. I had a lot of fun getting used to the Sr Suntour Rux 38 downhill fork. The stabilization that a dual crown fork provides was so cool and inspired a lot of confidence in my riding.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
Saturday was qualifying/seeding day, I didn’t really have a whole lot of expectations with this being my first downhill other than to ride my bike as best and as fast as I could. I surprised myself with having the first two fastest split times and qualifying 3rd.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
The next day was finals, we had an hour in the morning to practice and then would do our race run later in the afternoon.
Our start time got delayed to allow for some reruns in the amateur categories.
Having a lot of time to sit at the top of the track and wait was something I wasn’t as used to and it heightened my nerves a bit more. I dropped into my race run and almost immediately felt my arms pump up. I tried to not think about it and just made sure to hit my lines the best I could. I ended up finishing 3rd in Pro Women and I couldn’t be more stoked!
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the podium with a 3rd place finish at the Monster Pro Downhill series stop at Big Bear, CA.
I am proud of what I accomplished this weekend. A big thank you to the KHS Pro Mtb team as I couldn’t have done it without them. I look forward to doing more downhill racing in the future!
-Bella Naughton
Monster Pro Downhill Series, Big Bear was last modified: August 20th, 2024 by Flick
The team headed to North Carolina this past week for USACycling National Championship’s at Ride Rock Creek bike park.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
The week for me started Friday with Dual Slalom! Practice was in the morning followed by qualifying. I was having a lot of learning the track and I qualified 3rd. I made it through the round of 8 and 4 but got knocked out in the final round and finished 4th. I have really been enjoying learning the ropes to dual slalom racing and look forward to doing more!
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
Next up was enduro, a 5am wake up call for a 7:30 stage 1 start on Saturday. I knew it was going to be a tough day after racing slalom with it being hot and humid and quite a bit of pedaling in between stages but I was excited!
6 stages total with 4 on the back side that were slower speed with tight turns and janky rock gardens. The last two were back in the bike park a bit higher speeds, stage 5 was my favorite of the day.
After all was set and done I ended up 4th for Pro women.
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
Overall it was another great weekend with the whole team and excited to get back at it this next weekend in Tamarack, Idaho for the last round of the Big Mountain Enduro Series.
-Isabella Naughton
KHS Pro MTB rider Shane Leslie riding at the U.S. National CHampionships in Ride Rock Creek bike park, North Carolina.
It was cool to get back to the east coast for National champs this past weekend. It was my first time going to Rock Creek so I had a lot to learn quick. All of the tracks were super rad and quick. I felt good throughout practice and was excited to get racing. Stages 2-4 were greasy and loose while the others were perfect conditions. I struggled a bit on some of the greasy stages but loved being able to open it up on the dh style tracks. I ended up finishing in 9th and was happy to have a clean race. I’m looking forward to getting back out west for the final BME in some conditions I’m more comfortable with. Huge thanks to KHS race team for making this all happen!
-Shane Leslie
KHS Pro MTB, U.S. National Championships was last modified: August 7th, 2024 by Flick
“Wow, what a weekend! I have always enjoyed racing at Brian Head with BME. Day 1 was a long one, with an early wake up call to start the pedal to stage 1 followed by 3 more stages out in the backcountry. The stages were brutal, a combination of pedaling and rocky terrain all at 11,000 ft of elevation. I was able to take a stage win on stage 2 and was sitting in second just 8 seconds behind 1st. Later that day, I raced the Big Mountain Downhill. After rain and lighting delayed the start, I was happy to get 2nd and carry some momentum into day 2 of racing for the enduro!
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton on the trail at the fifth stop of the Big Mountain enduro series at Brian Head resort in Utah.
Day 2 we got to stay in the bike park for the remaining 3 stages which I was excited about but knew I had to push hard to make up the time. After stage 6, Porsha and I were pretty much tied going into the last stage. I gave it everything I had and was able to win the stage by .4 seconds and get the win overall!I came into this weekend with the goal to have fun and ride like I know how to ride and it paid off! I’m so stoked to take the win after 7 stages and super tight racing in the enduro! The team has been working hard this year to get to this point and I feel proud to be able to share it with everyone involved!
– Isabella Naughton
KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton takes first in Women’s enduro at the fifth stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series at Brian Head Resort in Utah.
Big Mountain Enduro Rd 5, Brian Head, UT. was last modified: July 19th, 2024 by Flick
