Race Season is Back!

KHS PRo MTB rider Bella Naughton warming up 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.

KHS Pro MTB rider Bella Naughton in the hot seat at the Tennessee National held in Windrock.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Tennessee Nationals

KHS Pro MTBrider MeKenna Merten at the Tennessee Nationals.

The first National of the year is already in the books, and our development athlete, MeKenna Merten, is holding it down in the Pro women’s category. With very limited time on the bike and little testing under her belt, McKenna would come out with a top 10 finish on the first major USA National of the year. Mackenna was definitely striving for more and, unfortunately, had a mechanical with her chain falling off near the top of her race run.

KHS Pro MTBrider MeKenna Merten at the Tennessee Nationals.
KHS Pro MTBrider MeKenna Merten at the Tennessee Nationals.

“Rough day out there today and the TN National. Unfortunately, I had a major mechanical problem halfway through my race run.” said McKenna, “Super bummed to have ended the first race of the year that way, but that part of racing. Back to work until the next one. I’m super hungry for more racing. Big thanks for KHS Bicycles and all our co-sponsors”.

KHS Pro MTBrider MeKenna Merten at the Tennessee Nationals.
KHS Pro MTBrider MeKenna Merten at the Tennessee Nationals.

The team and McKenna will continuously improve her adaptability to her KHS downhill bike and get her more tuned in. The entire team has been training very hard this off-season and will be hot and ready for the Seattle classic, where the whole team will be together for the first time in 2024. Once again, we want to thank all our sponsors, friends, family, and everyone who supports the dream!

 

Pro GRT Round 1, Tennessee National

KHS pro MTB team rider Steven Walton jumping his bike at the Pro GRT round one

Steven Walton was out in beautiful Tennessee for the first round of the Pro GRT series at the Tennessee National. Steven finished the weekend with a fourth-place finish, congratulations Steven!