Bjorn Riley from the Scott Sram MTB Racing Team is an absolute riding technique superstar. His technique is based on a BMX past. The cross-country racer still jumps around the skate park from time to time. But his big stage is the XC World Cup. There, he almost makes other established top riders look like MTB beginners. Riley manoeuvres his bike with ease and shreds around the race course on his lightweight carbon bike as if he were at a freestyle competition. The 24-year-old is also fast. Riley is regarded as one of the greatest talents of his generation. And who would have thought that the US national champion speaks perfect German? We found out this and many other exciting details in our interview with Bjorn Riley.
Style needs to be learnt
BIKE: Bjorn, you are considered one of the most stylish riders in the Cross Country World Cup. What is your secret?
BJORN RILEY: I don't really know. But I always say: "Cycling is like art". You have the freedom to do so many things and go so many ways. Riding fast is cool but not everything. When I'm biking, I do what I want, when I want. When I was young, I rode BMX a lot and was on the dirt line. That's where I feel at home and I think you can still see that today. When I go to the race track, I always want to stay true to my youthful self.
BMX carries a high risk of injury and can therefore jeopardise a professional athlete's career in the worst case scenario. Do you still ride in the skate park from time to time?
Yes, I do pop into the skate park from time to time. It helps me take my mind off racing and relax a bit. I always try to test myself a bit there too. If I still have a threesixty barspin, or truckdriver, I'm not that far away from my young self. I want to maintain that.
The 2026 XC season
The first World Cup race took place in Korea. Have you ever been there before?
No, I've never raced in Asia before. I had a lot of respect for the new season beforehand. Last year was very difficult for me, but this year my legs are really faster than ever before.
What have you changed in your preparation compared to last year?
Not much actually. Last year I just had a lot of bad luck in the run-up to the season. This off-season was much more straightforward. There weren't so many options and distractions. I'm just looking forward to the new World Cup, new technology and new races.
Conclusion
There are few cross-country riders I enjoy watching as much as Bjorn Riley. What the young racer pulls off on the XC bike is simply awesome. I also started out on a BMX and know that it can be a good school for mountain biking. But you can't help but be envious of Riley's skills. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the Styler. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
