US juniors and U23s chosen for worlds

USA Cycling selected twelve junior and U23 cross country athletes for the national team racing at the UCI MTB World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy, June 17-22. Nominations include eight men and four women.

In the U23 ranks, Sam Jurekovic received the only automatic nomination to the men's team after placing fourth among the elites at the Fontana NMBS in March. He is joined by Colin Cares, Mitchell Peterson and Tim Allen, who received discretionary nominations.

On the women's side, Jamie Dinkins received the only automatic nomination after turning in the top U23 performance at the Fontana NMBS. Chloe Forsman received the sole discretionary nomination.

In the junior division, Kerry Werner and John Bennett received automatic nominations after Werner's victory at the Greenbrier Challenge and Bennett's win at the Santa Ynez National. Robbie Squire and Seamus Powell will join them as discretionary selections.

Jill Behlen won the Greenbrier Challenge in April to solidify her automatic nomination, while Deidre York took the victory at Santa Ynez to earn her spot on the junior women's squad.

The rest of the US team will be announced on June 9.

US National Team for the UCI MTB World Championships (partial)
U23 men XC: Sam Jurekovic, Colin Cares, Mitchell Peterson, Tim Allen
U23 women XC: Jamie Dinkins, Chloe Forsman
Junior men XC: Kerry Werner, John Bennett, Robbie Squire, Seamus Powell
Junior women XC: Jill Behlen, Deidre York