US National Downhill & Slalom Championships
Big Bear Lake, CA – This past weekend marked a major milestone in the 2025 mountain bike racing season as the U.S. National Downhill Championships and Round 4 of the Pro Downhill National Series fired off in the iconic high-altitude terrain of Big Bear Lake, nestled deep in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The nation’s best downhill and slalom racers gathered to compete for national titles and valuable series points, with KHS Pro MTB once again making a powerful statement on the national stage. The event kicked off with the Dual Slalom National Championship, and the team came out swinging. Isabella Naughton delivered a phenomenal performance, racing clean and fast through the tight, dusty switchbacks on her Kenda Pinner tires to claim the Women’s Pro National Dual Slalom Title. Teammate Mackenna Merten followed closely behind, earning an impressive Silver Medal and helping lock down a 1-2 sweep of the women’s podium for KHS — a dominant showing that highlighted the team’s technical strength and competitive drive.
KHS Wins 2 Major titles at Final BME
The final stop of the Big Mountain Enduro series kicked off in the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains in Granby, Colorado, with three national titles on the line: Men’s Elite Enduro, Women’s Elite Enduro, and the Men’s Open Bike category. Athletes weren’t just racing for a podium finish—they were battling for the chance to be crowned national champions.
Racing took place across multiple demanding stages throughout Saturday and Sunday, pushing riders and equipment to their absolute limits. Shane Leslie delivered a strong performance, finishing second both in the Granby event and in the overall series standings. While just shy of the top step, Leslie’s consistency throughout the season was nothing short of impressive.
The spotlight, however, belonged to Isabel Naughton and Naish Ulmer, who both dominated across stages on both days. Running the proven Kenda Pinner and Hellkat tire combination, the two KHS Pro Team athletes carried speed and control through Granby’s steep, technical descents and loose, rocky terrain. With multiple stage wins, they not only claimed victory in Granby but also secured the overall Enduro National Series Championship titles in their respective categories. Their performance marks a monumental achievement for the team and showcased the winning edge of Kenda’s gravity-focused tire setup.
This victory adds to an already stellar season for the KHS Pro Race Team, following last week’s win in the Women’s Pro Dual Slalom National Championship. With three national titles secured this year, KHS is firmly cementing its status as a powerhouse in the mountain bike racing scene.
As the series winds down, just one race remains: the U.S. Open of Mountain Biking, taking place in Vermont at the end of September. All eyes will be on the KHS Pro Team as they look to close out the season on a high note.
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