Nate Kitchen — “Kitchy” to those who know him — is the fastest-rising downhill racer in American mountain biking. Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, the 19-year-old came up through BMX (a 5th at World Championships among his amateur credentials) before finding downhill, and the transition has been meteoric: Dual Slalom National Championships as both a junior (2023) and a pro (2024), followed by a breakout 2026 season. Racing for Intense Factory Racing, Nate has stood on the podium at three of the last four Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series rounds. Now the Monster Pro Downhill Series points leader, Nate is doing it all with a homegrown, all-in work ethic and his sights set firmly on a UCI World Cup team by 2028. Fearless under the clock and only getting faster, he’s one of the most exciting young talents in the sport — and he’s just getting started.

 2026 has been Nate’s breakout year as a professional, racing the Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series. He won Pro Men in wet, hectic conditions at Round 2 at Mountain Creek, New Jersey, earning both the win and the Hole Shot for the fastest opening split. He followed up with a win in Round 3 in Solitude, UT by almost 1 second and took 3rd at the U.S. National Championships at Big Bear (which doubled as Round 4), finishing ahead of World Cup regular Luca Shaw. His results drew national coverage from Mountain Bike Action, Pinkbike, and BikeMag, and organic buzz across the sport’s community.

 Nate is poised to continue his upward trajectory in 2027, focusing on the Monster Pro Downhill Series and other US racing, both in DH and Dual Slalom. He’s looking to align with like-minded brands to created partnerships that benefit both parties.

 KEY 2026 RESULTS

  • 1st — Monster Energy Pro DH Series, Mountain Creek, NJ (Round 2) — 2:12.342, plus $500 Hole Shot

  • 1st — Monster Energy Pro DH Series, Solitude, UT (Round 3) -

  • 3rd — US National Championships / Pro DH Series Round), Big Bear — 2:50.101 (ahead of Luca Shaw and Aaron Gwin)

  • Series points leader — Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series, 2026 (podiums in 3 of 4 rounds)

  • 1st – Southwest Downhill Series (Round 1), Snow Valley, CA

  • 1st – Southwest Downhill Series (Round 2), China Peak, CA

Nate Kitchen