New Bentonville Satellite Office Gives Young Athletes Best Chance at Olympic Gold
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (April 25, 2023) – USA Cycling hosted a Community Kick-Off to celebrate its new satellite office and officially launch Bentonville as the new home of the U.S. Mountain Bike National Team. The event was held in the world’s first bikeable building, Ledger, on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
In December 2022, the organization claimed Bentonville as the official “Home of the U.S. National Mountain Bike Team,” as young athletes set their sights on success leading into the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling in the US.
“Thursday’s opening exceeded all expectations. We packed two entire floors of the Ledger with the NW Arkansas mountain biking community, as well as key members of the cycling community from across America,” says Brendan Quirk, CEO of USA Cycling. “At USA Cycling we are excited to be part of the growth of Bentonville into the epicenter of American mountain biking. The warmth and welcome we feel from the community is every bit as impressive as the world-class trail network. Bentonville will play an increasingly critical role for the athletes of Team USA as we work towards our medal goals at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”
The Bentonville satellite office will further accelerate the growth of elite American mountain bike athletes and will provide workspace for the mountain bike coaching and support staff.
“Arkansas is blessed with immense natural beauty, and USA Cycling chose to make Bentonville one of its homes. This speaks volumes to our community, the warmth of our people and quality of our cycling infrastructure,” Krista Cupp, VP Corporate & Community Affairs at Runway Group, said. “Every week we add miles of trails, and with every mile, there is an opportunity for young riders to develop their skills. We are honored to have Bentonville representing the US on a global stage.”
Community members joined together for a Time Trial, hosted by Bike School Bentonville, where riders raced to the top of Ledger. Ledger features six stories of bikeable ramps that take riders from the ground floor to the roof. Anyone can bike or walk the approximately ¾-mile (1.2 km) ramp from the first floor to the roof during business hours.
Cycling industry professionals and community members were welcomed by Quirk and Bentonville Mayor Stephanie Orman. Additionally, esteemed members of the U.S. Mountain Bike National Team joined the festivities, including Kate Courtney, Gwendalyn Gibson, Madigan Munro, and Riley Amos.
“After spending time with Team USA during the ribbon cutting at Ledger, it’s clear that Bentonville is special to those of us who live here as well as the athletes who train here. They’re impressed with our trails, excited about our downtown, and feel the energy that makes Bentonville unlike any other city,” Dana Sargent Schlagenhaft, Executive Director at Downtown Bentonville Incorporated, said. “The road to the Olympics now starts in Bentonville, and I can’t wait to see what the finish line holds for our city and these athletes.”
USA Cycling’s corporate headquarters is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It also has a European logistics base and rider housing in Sittard, Netherlands.
Photos available here, courtesy of USA Cycling.
About USA Cycling:
USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States and achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from brand-new racers to seasoned professionals. USA Cycling has a membership of 80,000, sanctions over 2,000 events annually, and is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). More information is available at usacycling.org.
Mountain Biking in Bentonville
Bentonville is known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™ and headquarters OZ Trails™, a world-class network of shared-use trails throughout Northwest Arkansas. Containing more than 300 miles of soft-surface trails, this innovative network is accessible to mountain bikers, gravel riders, runners, and outdoor adventurers of all ages and skill levels.
