The biggest team competition in mountain biking is back - and the 2022 Trophy of Nations team selections are out now.
The Trophy of Nations sees riders compete in teams of three for their home country
Taking place in Finale Ligure, Italy on October 1-2, the Trophy of Nations will once more ask riders to cast aside their personal and team ambitions in favour of their home nation. Riders will compete in teams of three for their home country, working together to claim the iconic rainbow jerseys.
Team USA will once more have Richie Rude at the helm
Last held in 2019, it was Team USA who won the men’s competition. Richie Rude, Shawn Neer and Cody Kelley put on a masterclass in team work and tactics to earn those rainbow stripes, but they have their work cut out for them if they want to retain their title this time around. Team Canada, Team Australia and Team New Zealand will all be fielding incredibly strong line-ups.
France won the women’s race at the last Trophy of Nations held in 2019
Meanwhile, in the women’s competition it was Team France who absolutely dominated the competition, with Isabeau Courdurier, Morgane Charre and Melanie Pugin claiming an outstanding victory - fast forward to this year and it’s the exact same line-up who will be wearing the tricolor in Finale. Trying very hard to stop them making it two for two will be an impressive roster of Ella Conolly, Hattie Harnden and Bex Baraona for Team Great Britain.
Team New Zealand won the U21 competition and were treated to a Haka by the senior team as a result
In the U21 it was Team New Zealand who claimed the men’s win, while team Great Britain took the U21 Women. This time round it’s Team Australia (Luke and Remy Meier-Smith along with Ryan Gilchrist) and Team Canada (Seth Sherlock, Emmet Hancock and Johnathan Helly) who are the clear favourites in the men’s competition. And it’s also Team Canada in the U21 Women who look the most dangerous, thanks to Emmy Lan, Lily Boucher and Elly Hoskin.
As well as the Trophy of Nations, Finale will also play host to the Rider and Industry Trophies. The Rider Industry is open to all riders with no pre-qualifications, with riders free to compete as individuals or in teams of three with their friends. Meanwhile the Industry Trophy is open to bike brands, teams and riders who did not qualify for their country. In the past it has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport for both past and present who’re keen to throw down on some of enduro’s most iconic trails.
