As the year winds down, it’s that familiar season in the cycling world where contracts come to an end, renewals are signed, and fresh partnerships take shape. Unfortunately, today’s update brings bittersweet news: USA Olympian Payton Ridenour has announced her departure from Mongoose Bicycles after an impressive four-year run. In an Instagram post, Payton reflected on her time with the brand, stating:
“It’s been a great four years with team @mongoosebikes and we’ve accomplished quite a lot. From national wins to putting Mongoose in the Olympics for the first time ever! I’d like to extend my gratitude to everyone at Mongoose who’s been such a huge part in my racing. We’ll be parting ways for next season and I’m not sure what’s in store for the future quite yet, but looking forward to a great 2025 nonetheless!”
This marks the end of a remarkable chapter for both Payton and Mongoose, a partnership that saw groundbreaking achievements, including her historic role in the Olympics. While the timing may feel challenging given the current landscape of the cycling industry, Mongoose shared their appreciation for Payton’s contributions:
“We want to thank @paytonridenour for everything she has done for Mongoose! P-nut is an incredible ambassador for BMX and we are excited to see what is next for this incredible human.”
To honour Payton’s journey and the incredible milestones she’s achieved in just four short years, we wanted to take a moment to showcase her accomplishments. Here’s a résumé of sorts highlighting her most notable achievements during her time with Mongoose:
- January 2020 Payton Joins Mongoose Bicycles
- February 2020 Payton wins her first Junior title in Sarasota, Florida
- March 2020 Payton wins the USA Junior National Championships
- August 2020 Payton launches her Kickstarter campaign for her first children’s book
- May 2021 Payton wins the Red Bull Pump Track stop in George Poston Park
- May 2021 Payton wins silver in Colombia, her first World Cup podium
- June 2021 Payton officially joins the US Olympic Team
- July 2021 Payton lands in Tokyo for her first Olympics, Mongoose Bicycles makes its debut in the Olympics for the first time
- August 2021 Mongoose Dirtvana is released
- September 2021 Payton gets her first Elite holeshot in Kentucky
- October 2021 Payton finishes 2nd at the Pump Track World Championships in Lisbon
- November 2021 Payton wins the Rookie Pro Golden Cranks in Tulsa
- March 2022 Payton finishes 3rd in Houston, TX
- March 2022 Payton finishes 3rd at in Rock Hill, SC
- May 2022 Payton went to the Whitehouse
- July 2022 Payton wins the Pump Track World Championships stop in Texas
- November 2022 Payton is featured in Suburban Life Magazine
- February 2023 Payton wins in Houston, TX
- April 2023 Payton wins in Rock Hill, SC
- May 2023 Payton podiums in Tulsa, OK
- May 2023 Payton wins silver at the USA National Championships
- September 2023 Payton wins back-to-back silvers in Louisville
- October 2023 Payton represents the USA at the Santiago, Chile Pan Am Games
- October 2023 Payton wins in Rock Hill, SC
- November 2023 Payton finishes 3rd overall in the USA BMX ranking for 2023
- January 2024 Payton wins a triple in Sarasota, FL
- July 2024 Payton is in Paris for her second Olympics as an alternate
- August 2024 Payton wins her first Louisville slugger
- October 2024 Payton wins in Pflugerville, TX
- October 2024 Payton wins silver back-to-back in Rock Hill, SC
- December 2024 Payton parts ways with Mongoose Bicycles
At this time, Payton doesn’t have anything lined up for next year, but given her highlights above, we don’t think it’ll be long until she gets scooped up.
