McKenna Merten

Development Racer

Welcoming our new development rider

Racer Information

My name is McKenna Merten, I am 21 years old and am from San Diego, California but currently live in Tempe, Arizona. I started racing BMX at six years old and then got into downhill mountain bike racing at nine and fell in love with the sport. I turned Pro in Dual Slalom at fifteen and turned Pro for Downhill at sixteen, and am headed into my sixteenth year of racing. Throughout my racing career thus far I have accomplished many of my racing goals including winning National Championships six times, racing at the World Cup level, and getting to race in the World Championships. I am a dual citizen to Ireland and declared my racing nationality as Irish and have represented the country multiple times on the World Cup scene. My best finish at a World Cup was fourth place in Snowshoe, West Virginia.

Growing up in downhill racing, I have seen the sport grow and evolve. When I started racing I was one of the few young girls in downhill and would like to think I helped the sport gain the amount of young female riders in it today. I am a huge advocate for getting more girls on bikes and have recently been hosting clinics coaching younger girls getting into mountain bikes.

Racing is my absolute favorite thing to do no matter what discipline of riding. I grew up racing BMX and have always had a passion for it. I still will race BMX every so often now and more recently have been enjoying racing on my dirt jumper. Downhill racing will always be my favorite, I love the fact that it is just you against the clock. However, I believe I have the most fun racing dual slalom because it is a bit of a mix between BMX and DH. I love to be between the tape no matter what.

I am looking forward to a great season aboard KHS. I have been working hard to put in the work this offseason with the help of my trainer, Jared Becker and I can’t wait to see what the year will bring!

Name: McKenna Merten
Birthdate: 08/15/2002
Birthplace: San Diego, California
Current home: Tempe, Arizona
Nationality: USA
Career start: 2008
Discipline: Downhill/Dual Slalom/BMX
Hobbies: Golf, Hiking