US national champion Savilia Blunk joins Rockrider Pro MTB team
This article originally appeared on Velo News
American elite cross-country mountain bike national champ Savilia Blunk is joining a pro team in 2023.
The 23-year-old will ride with Rockrider Pro MTB team, based in France. The team debuted last year with five riders -- this year, three men and three women will form the six-rider squad, which includes Emeline Detilleux, the Belgian national champion.
Rockrider is the MTB line of French sports retailer Decathlon.
Read also: Savilia Blunk storms to cross-country national title
Blunk, from California, has climbed the mountain bike ladder from high school to the pro ranks. She was part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) in high school and went on to compete at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.
Blunk owns five national championship titles, most recently claiming the elite cross-country title in 2022 after winning the U23 XC and elite short track (XCC) titles in 2021.
She was second in the elite short track race in 2022.
Read also: Meet Savilia Blunk and Cole Paton, America's off-road power couple
2022 was Blunk’s first year focusing on elite World Cup racing, and she claimed three top-10 short track finishes. She was also sixth in the cross-country race at Snowshoe.
Blunk also dabbled in domestic off-road as well, racing at The Mid South and Chequamegon, which she won.
She leaves the Orange Seal Off-Road team to join Rockrider.
"I am very excited,” Blunk said of the move. “For the first time in my career, I will join a European team with which I will be able to participate in all the World Cup events. I’m going to discover a new environment, new equipment and I can’t wait! I am happy with what I have shown during the 2022 season, especially during the last big races. Now I want to continue to progress.”
For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
