When the International Olympic Committee included BMX racing for the first time in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Team USA took home three of six medals.
But, four years later in London, Team USA’s efforts ended with a disappointing shut out. Not a single American rider reached the medal stand.
An experienced group of riders, including 25-year-old Alise Post, now training at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center want to restore America’s dominance in Rio.
“Personally, I'm definitely more hungry due to what happened in London and I think it was just a little taste of what it could've been" said Post.
The Minnesota native moved to San Diego prior to the 2012 Olympics for a climate and training atmosphere more conducive to the fast paced sport.
Post attended the University of San Diego before leaving to focus full time on BMX, which paid off with a spot on the 2012 Olympic team where she finished 12th overall.
“And we've got a group of riders at this point now coming into 2016 who are pretty well established and have been through the Olympic process and are either able to use that experience for themselves or share that experience with the developing riders and I think it's going to make a big difference" said Post.
Local
In a sport where eight riders launch down a ramp, reaching 40 mph within 2.5 seconds, only to battle each other through curves, jumps, and obstacles, Post believes her experience reveals itself through patience.
“It teaches you to read races, and be able to not rush things, and hopefully stay on your bike in those situations” said Post.
A former gymnast who started racing BMX because of her brother who encouraged her to start cycling before “she joins dance or something too girly”, Post is considered one of the favorites to earn a spot on Team USA.
The two women to compete for Team USA will be chosen over the next several months through a selection process which includes a one-time race, a series of races and possibly a committee decision.
