National MTB XCO Coach to set a new standard

AusCycling is pleased to announce that Robert Holmgren has been appointed to the role of National MTB XCO Coach, a key position responsible for preparing current and emerging riders for World Championship, World Cup, and Olympic success. 

Holmgren was Canada’s Cycling Coach of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and has delivered multiple junior World Champions in XCO, XCC and CX.  

He was Cycling Canada’s CX lead between 2021 and 2023, Ontario Cycling’s Head Coach for HP/MTB endurance between 2018 and 2025, and has most recently been Head Coach, High Performance MTB, Cyclocross and Road for the Stimulus Trek Racing Team.  

Holmgren’s appointment is a key part of a broader set of initiatives to build pathways and elite success in Olympic and non-Olympic MTB disciplines. 

These include; 

• The AusCycling Pathways MTB Europe Camp (May 4-26, 2025) which was designed to provide six high-potential J19 and U23 riders with exposure to world-class competition in events that were part of the UCI Junior World Series and UCI Continental Series, HC-class, and World Cup. 

• Domestic AusCycling MTB Development Academies (1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025) which provided 110 Downhill and Enduro, and 64 XC athletes with almost 2500 coaching contact hours in camps and other sessions across Australia. The campaign also included a development camp in Japan in September 2024. 

• The upcoming AusCycling Development Academy International trip to Japan’s Coupe du Japon Fukasaka International XCO and XCC Races (September 22-29, 2025), designed to provide J17 riders with experience of major international competition. 

• Creation of an AusCycling MTB National Talent Academy which will provide Australia’s top J15 and J17 riders from the state academies with additional development opportunities. The academy is due to launch in September. 

• A current review of UCI World Championships (WJC) Junior Selection Policies and U19 Discipline-Specific selection criteria for Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines including MTB Downhill and Enduro. 

AusCycling Executive General Manager Performance, Jesse Korf, said Holmgren’s appointment signalled a strengthened commitment to the development of elite XCO riders ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympics. 

“Rob has an outstanding coaching pedigree, and his results speak for themselves,” Korf said. “He has also demonstrated the ability to develop MTB XCO athletes from U17 to top MTB factory or World Tour teams, which is a key capability.  

“We are confident that Rob’s strategic outlook and skill in bringing out the best in athletes and coaches means his impact will be felt throughout the MTB XCO cohort as we prepare for the Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympics and a host of World Championships and World Cups.”  

Holgren said there were several key elements of AusCycling’s work that attracted him to the role. 

“I am really excited to join AusCycling in its commitment to build a robust, process-driven MTB program,” he said. 

“The multi-discipline cycling infrastructure in Australia is incredible - it will be one of our greatest strengths. The culture at AusCycling encourages teamwork and collaboration. This culture will be key to building the foundations to support both a growing XCO community and World  Class athletes.”