Back-to-back USA Cat-1 Elite Road Race Champion Ama Nsek has joined Pinarello US’s Scuderia Pinarello ambassador program as he seeks to embark on a bold, new career path in 2024.
The 24-year-old from Los Angeles, who also splits his time between Boulder, Colorado, is regarded as one of the country’s top criterium racers having claimed the National Collegiate Criterium title in 2022. In his new role at Scuderia Pinarello, Nsek will broaden his horizons and also compete in longer elite road and gravel races
The Belgian Waffle Ride California, Unbound 100 and Boise Twilight Criterium have already been earmarked as Nsek’s major competition goals for the upcoming season, alongside the National Championships, and his first race for Scuderia Pinarello will be the Tucson Bicycle Classic.
It is not just in racing where Nsek’s newfound focuses will lie, his position on the Scuderia Pinarello roster will also allow him to fulfil his ambitions of developing youth cycling across the country and creating a more inclusive cycling community as part of his Imperium Coaching program.
When he is not competing, Nsek will organise regular group rides, coaching sessions and clinics – either at home or on the road – and provide guidance, support and equipment to underprivileged kids that have dreams of following in his footsteps.
Ama Nsek’s Journey: From Competitor to Mentor
Scuderia Pinarello rider Ama Nsek said: “I’m super excited to be joining Scuderia Pinarello and am grateful to Pinarello for giving me the opportunity to compete at such a high level whilst also being able to give something back to the cycling community, help the sport, and inspire the next generation of riders who are coming through.
“Competing across various disciplines is going to be fresh new challenge for me. I’ve only ever ridden road bikes in gravel races in the past, so I’m really looking forward to racing on the Grevil F as it’ll allow me to soak up the vibrations whilst carrying maximum speed. On the road as well, the F9 is insanely fast, so it’s going to be killer ripping it on such a stiff, compliant and aero model. I can’t wait to get going.”
Pinarello’s Newest Addition: Ama Nsek’s Impact
Pinarello US Head of Sales & Marketing Charlie Karstrom said: “It very exciting for us to have Ama joining Scuderia Pinarello. Not only is he an incredible athlete across multiple disciplines, he is passionate about getting more people into the sport, and his commitment to fostering inclusive programs definitely matches our own. We look forward to supporting him on his pathway to success and seeing him push Pinarello products to the limit.”
Nsek is newest of eight riders who will make up the Scuderia Pinarello roster for the 2024 season. Split into three tiers – competitor, community leader and adventurer – the team brings together athletes from a host of different backgrounds who share a common love of bikes. Joining Nesk on the roster are:
Meet the Team: Scuderia Pinarello’s Athletes
Competitor Tier
Cecily Decker – Former US National Team downhill skier turned cyclist, who is a two-time National Collegiate Road Champion and will be competing in the Lifetime Grand Prix
Ethan Overson – Up-and-coming gravel talent with road racing roots who took 1st place at the Unbound 100 in 2022. He will be focused on a wider range of regional and national level races in 2024.
Community Leader Tier
Mari Holden – Former World Time Trial Champion and Olympic silver medallist who will be providing coaching and mentorships through a series of women’s rides and camps as part of her Holden Cycling Collective.
Anthony Carter – The team’s chief motivator who provides mentoring and coaching through his Coach Carter Cares ride and coaching series. He is also directing the GII (Get-It-In Club) for BIPOC cyclists and will be launching his own podcast series exploring cycling from unique perspectives.
Adventurer Tier
Hillary Allen – Top ultra trail runner turned gravelista who is also an author, podcast host and outdoor enthusiast. She will be leading rides out of her Boulder, CO home base as well as taking on extreme endurance gravel adventures in Scotland and at the Traka 560km in Girona, Spain.
Jamie Bestwick – A BMX legend, 14-time X Games gold medalist and Team GB BMX Head Coach, he will be aiming to win his age group at events such as MidSouth and BWR SD.
Johnny Collinson – A big mountain skier and adventurer who, when he is not scaling Everest, also has an insatiable passion for bikes He will be taking his Grevil F to some of the most challenging terrains in the world, including the mountains of Nepal.
