FULL RIDER ROSTER FOR 2026 QUALIFIER ANNOUNCED

April 6, 2026

BOISE, IDAHO – Hard MTB League has finalized the rider field for the 2026 Open Qualifier, set for May 20–23 in Boise, Idaho. Thiry-eight athletes representing downhill, enduro, freeride, slopestyle, and cross-discipline backgrounds will line up to compete across four disciplines: Downhill, Tech Climbing, Raw Slalom, and Tech Rhythm.

The field reflects the breadth of what Hard MTB League was built to find: riders who don’t specialize in one lane, but can hold their own in all of them.

“This is the most diverse, highest-caliber field we’ve put together,” said Braydon Bringhurst, Hard MTB League Founder. “World Cup downhillers, freeride legends, enduro specialists, and rising talent — all on the same course, same day. That’s what makes this format unique. You can’t fake versatility. I am very thankful to every single rider that is coming out and willing to be part of this.”

2026 QUALIFIER RIDER FIELD

Men
Alfie Stephens · Austin “Bubba” Warren · Bas Van Steenbergen · Ben Emeleus · Boston Bryant · Cam Lukens · Cameron Joye · Cody Johnson · Cody Kelly · Connor Casler · Dakoda Osusky · Devin DeBruhl · Eddie Reynolds · Jonathan Simek · Kyle Strait · Luca Cometti · Lucas DeDora · Max Clark · Merrick Otto · Mitch Ropelato · Nik Nestoroff · Phil Atwill · Rome Lakai Winnie · Stephen Cooper · Tegan Cruz · Tommy Zula · Tristan Lemire · Wes Lukens

Women
Amy Shenton · April Zastrow · Ffion Pickstock · Jade Paikea Savage · Jordy Scott · Julie Colk · Kailey Skelton · Madeline (Maddie) Lloyd · Mayumi Wakefield · Mckenna Merten · Olivia Silva · Sophie Allen

The 2026 field brings together riders from every corner of the sport. Defending champions Tegan Cruz and Kailey Skelton return to the start line, joined by freeride icons Kyle Strait and Bas Van Steenbergen, World Cup veteran Phil Atwill, enduro and multi-discipline athletes from across North America, and international riders whose travel to Boise is supported by the League’s Global Travel Awards program.

Hard MTB League tests riders across four disciplines in a single unified competition — Downhill Gnar, Tech Climbing, Raw Slalom, and Tech Rhythm — in a spectator-friendly format where all the action stays visible. The format rewards complete riders, not specialists. Downhill skill matters. So does climbing. So does rhythm and technical precision on the slalom course. The athlete who can put it all together walks away with a spot in the Hard MTB League Finals (October 21–24, 2026) and a shot at the $125k+ prize purse.

About Hard MTB League:

Hard MTB League is the ultimate test of complete mountain biking ability. Founded by professional rider and filmmaker Braydon Bringhurst in 2023, Hard MTB fills a void in the sport by crowning riders who can do it all—climb, descend, jump, and navigate technical terrain at the highest level. While traditional competitions force specialization into strict disciplines, Hard MTB League celebrates versatility, pushing modern trail bikes and their riders to the absolute limit in a spectator-friendly format where fans witness every moment of the action. The league debuted as a Pro Invitational in 2024, showcasing elite athletes alongside community events that welcome riders of all abilities. Hard MTB League is the next evolution of competition—where the most complete all‑around rider shows what mountain biking is truly capable of.

For more information about the 2026 Hard MTB Challenge series, visit www.hardmtbleague.com/pressroom and follow @hardmtbleague on social media.