Bentonville is set to become the home of the country's National Mountain Biking Team, it was announced Thursday by USA Cycling.
With the region's elite network of high-level mountain biking trails and gravel, the country's top cyclists will use Northwest Arkansas for training and skills-development camps leading into the World Cup racing season. Bentonville will host USA Cycling's mountain bike and road mountain bike and road Junior Talent Identification and Skills Camps in Bentonville, according to a news release.
The camps will be made possible through a philanthropic investment by the Walton Family Foundation at the direction of Steuart Walton and Tom Walton along with the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation and the Penner Family Foundation.
“Our long-term goal is for Team USA to win the gold at the 2028 Olympic Games,” said Brendan Quirk, CEO of USA Cycling in the release. “This investment gives us access to the infrastructure and resources we need to support our Under-23 and Junior riders. Developing these up-and-coming riders is a top priority for USA Cycling, now and in the future.”
In addition to serving as the center for its mountain bike operations, the city will also become the national base for its collegiate cycling operations and other functions related to the growth of grassroots bike racing across the country.
“Having training and support facilities based in Bentonville will provide our riders with an ideal launching pad to succeed on the world stage,” said Jim Miller, Chief of Sports Performance at USA Cycling.
USA Cycling’s corporate headquarters is in Colorado Springs. It also has a European logistics base and rider housing in Sittard, Netherlands. The Bentonville satellite office will further accelerate the growth of elite American mountain bike athletes and will provide workspace for the mountain bike athletes.