Be sure to follow Mia below!
What first drew you into competitive cycling, and what keeps you racing today?
Back in 2016, I decided to join a local club mountain bike practice. I instantly fell in love with the sport. Today, I keep racing because I have so much fun riding my bike, and it makes me happy.
What has been your proudest race moment or breakthrough performance?
I have a few! One was winning U23 Pan Ams, which was really nice. I’m also really proud of how I raced in some of the USCX C1s earlier in the year. Lastly, making the 2025 Road Worlds Team was pretty amazing, and getting to race in Rwanda is something I will never forget.
Can you walk us through your typical bike setup process before a big race?
Our mechanics do a really great job of knowing what everyone wants, so I don’t have to do much on race day. It’s simply down to choosing the right tire and tire pressure! Pretty straightforward!
How do you evaluate or select your drivetrain components?
I really value reliability and smoothness when it comes to drivetrains! All my drivetrain components have to be able to perform in the severe conditions that cyclocross brings.
What details do you obsess over when it comes to drivetrain performance?
I focus on the drivetrain’s ability to excel under load and in wet/muddy weather. A good drivetrain will be able to handle it all!
How do Rotation Engineering components fit into your race-day setup?
My chains are waxed, so they run perfectly on race day! I also have a Rotation Engineering bottom bracket, which is super reliable and works so well.
Have you noticed any performance differences since switching to Rotation parts?
Yes! My bike runs so much smoother and it’s very noticeable.
What kind of race conditions do you feel Rotation products especially excel in?
The mud! Prior to using Rotation products, my bottom bracket would get really messed up after a muddy race. However, the Rotation bottom bracket holds strong and continues running so well!
What’s one overlooked maintenance or performance tip you’d share with younger racers?
For a performance tip… believe in yourself! Having confidence in a race is extremely important and will pay off!
How do you mentally prep before a high-stakes event?
My coach tells me all the time, “Focus on having a good performance, and the results will follow.” What he means is that on/prior to race day, you should do everything in your power to have a good race: eat well, sleep well, warm up, etc. How your legs feel is out of your control on the day, and if you start and you feel horrible, then it is what it is. If you try your best, and the fitness is there, the results will come.
Also, at Pan Ams this year, I was telling myself a lot that I had already had a great season and that this one race did not define that. When I was a junior I would get super sad or frustrated if I had a bad day at a big race, and it is still a challenge for me. It’s not that I don’t care, but I try to put less pressure on myself.
Also, I tell myself “It’s just another Race the Mac.” Race the Mac was a local midweek mtb series back in 2017 and 2018, and it was probably the chillest race ever. Since I started racing bigger events, I like to tell myself that it’s just another race.
Lastly, the most important thing is to just have fun. At the end of the day, that’s why I’m doing this sport!
What role does the cycling community play in your journey?
The cycling community is the whole reason why my journey has kept going! In moments when I was really burnt out, it was my friends and competitors in the community that kept me going! I’m forever thankful to be a part of such an amazing community.
How do you see your platform as a way to influence or mentor others?
I just want to share the fun that cyclocross brings! I love coaching and mentoring younger kids, and showing them that whatever they want to do is possible!
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