Rapperswill, Switzlerland. Bjorn Riley is, without understatement, one of the most colorful figures in XC racing today, and this is even before kicking off his debut season racing in the Elite category. First and foremost, he is an MTB racer per definition, possessing the technical skills paired with fierce competitive appetite when he’s handlebar to handlebar with his competitors. But if you take a closer look, it quickly becomes clear, that Bjorn has enormous creative potential too.
This is not only evident between the tape, where he is notorious for occasionally throwing front tire grabs in the middle of races, but also through his style and creativity off the track. When asked, he would probably describe himself as both a racer and an artist, seamlessly transitioning between both worlds.
The young American from Boulder, Colorado has already made a name for himself in the 2024 U23 season, demonstrating his class by walking away with two World Cup victories Les Gets in both the XCC and XCO category, as well as multiple podium finishes throughout the season. But that’s not all. The U23 rider shook the US MTB Elite scene by winning the US National titles in XCO and XCC in Macungie, PA in July 2024.
As the reigning US MTB Champion, it’s time to provide the racer Bjorn with a special US Champion Edition SCOTT Spark RC World Cup, adorned with unique artwork from the artist himself. Discover Bjorn’s Spark RC World Cup US Champ Special Edition and take a deep dive into the detailed spec of the bike below.
Q&A with Bjorn Riley
Where does this passion for both painting and biking come from?
For me, both passions kind of come from the same place—curiosity and a love for movement. With biking, it’s about physical flow and pushing limits; with painting, it’s more internal, but still about flow—about getting lost in something. I’ve always been drawn to colors, shapes, and textures, just as much as I’ve been drawn to dirt trails and adrenaline. It’s how I see and feel the world.
Painting & bike racing seem to be like opposite and time-consuming pursuits, how do you manage to combine them?
They are super different, but they complement each other in this weird way. Riding is intense, fast-paced, high-energy. Painting gives me balance. After a long race or a hard block of training, spending a few hours in the studio helps me reset. I don’t try to “make time” for one or the other—they’re both just part of who I am. It’s all about rhythm and switching gears when I need to.
Is racing a bike a way to express yourself in the same way that you do when you paint?
Absolutely. When I’m racing, I feel like I’m painting with motion—finding lines through the course, flowing through corners, making quick decisions. There’s creativity in how you race, just like there’s structure and strategy in how you paint. They might look different from the outside, but both are 100% expressions of who I am.
If racing were to stop for you one day, would you see yourself in the race paddocks or would you concentrate on your art in your Atelier?
Tough one. I think I’d always want to stay connected to racing—maybe mentoring or helping develop bikes—but if racing ever stopped, I’d probably throw myself fully into the art world. I’d still ride for the love of it, of course, but I’d definitely spend more time in the studio, exploring where my art could go without the limits of a race calendar.
What were your inspirations to create your new special SPARK RC?
The Spark RC project was about blending performance with personality. I drew inspiration from traditional American tattooing, graffiti, and some artists that inspire me. But also from emotions: grit, intensity, calmness. I wanted the bike to feel fast but thoughtful, like every detail had intention—just like in a painting.
What’s your favorite part of the art you’ve created for your new SCOTT SPARK RC?
Definitely the contrasts—the subtle textures you only catch from the right angle, or the way one dragon is blue and the other one is red color, the complement each other very well. It’s like a hidden story on the bike. There’s a detail near the seat tube that’s super personal to me; it’s kind of my signature. It reminds me that I’m riding not just a machine, but a piece of who I am.
Who is the most artistic within the SCOTT SRAM MTB Racing Team (besides yourself!)?
Haha, that’s a good one.
I’d say Emilly Johnston, the Canadian MTB rider on the team. She’s got a really creative spark, not just in her personality but in the way she approaches riding and life off the bike too. There’s a certain flow to how she rides—smooth, precise, with her own style—and you can tell she sees lines differently. Off the bike, she’s super thoughtful and expressive. Whether it’s through her journaling, her sense of style, or the way she shares her journey, there’s an artistic side that comes through. She definitely brings a unique creative vibe to the team.
Bjorn Riley’s Sketchbook: EP2
Anyone who follows Bjorn on his social channels quickly realizes that he is much more than an extremely talented XCO racer. He would probably describe himself as both a cyclist and an artist at the same time, and once he’s off the bike, it’s easy to see why. A talented painter, he brings as much creativity to his art as he does to his life on two wheels.
Discover the Full story and Bjorn’s way navigating in his first year racing in Elite in Episode 2 of his new Video Series.
The Bike – SCOTT Spark RC World Cup X Bjorn Riley
For SCOTT-SRAM’s Bjorn Riley, his World Cup race bike comes with a very special setup featuring RockShox Flight Attendant Suspension System, SRAM XX T-Type Eagle AXS Drivetrain, all-new SRAM Motive brakes, Syncros Fraser iC SL combo and the Syncros Tofino saddle. Talk about a tricked out bike, this rig ticks all the boxes.
Spec Highlights:
Frame: SCOTT SPARK RC CARBON HMX SL CUSTOM
Fork: ROCKSHOX SID ULTIMATE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, 120MM TRAVEL, 44MM OFFSET
Rear Shock: ROCKSHOX SIDLuxe ULTIMATE FLIGHT ATTENDANT CUSTOM
Remote: SRAM AXS POD ULTIMATE CONTROLLER
Handlebar: SYNCROS FRASER IC SL WC -40° / 80MM / 690MM
Seatpost: ROCKSHOX REVERB AXS 100MM, TITANIUM BOLTS
Saddle: SYNCROS TOFINO V SL CUT OUT SADDLE
Grips: SYNCROS FOAM
Pedals: HT COMPONENTS LEOPARD M2T
Rear Derailleur: SRAM XX SL EAGLE TRANSMISSION AXS/ 12SPEED
Shifter: SRAM AXS POD ROCKER CONTROLLER
Crank Set: SRAM XX SL EAGLE AXS TRANSMISSION POWERMETER CRANKSET, 170MM/ 36T CHAINRING
Chain: SRAM XX SL EAGLE TRANSMISSION FLATTOP CHAIN
Cassette: SRAM XX SL CS-1299 EAGLE TRANSMISSION / 10-52T
Brakes: SRAM MOTIVE ULTIMATE
Wheels: SYNCROS CARBON WHEELS
Tires: FRONT MAXXIS ASPEN 29×2.40WT 150TPI EXO/TR / REAR MAXXIS ASPEN ST 29×2.40WT 150TPI EXO/TR
