After an inaugural season clouded by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dawson County mountain biking team is back for their second season. 

“It’s a big difference from last year,” team director Dustin Heard said. ”Last year’s season was altered a lot.”

This year, things are back to normal with every age group and gender riding separately and whoever finishes first crowned as the winner. The Tigers finished the 2020 season ranked 16th out of 65. 

Alongside Heard, Mark Legaspi serves as the head coach of the team again this season. Though no practice schedule has been set officially, practices will begin in July and happen two to three times a week, with five races starting in September. 

“The great thing about the sport is that it's something that anybody can do, regardless of the skill level,” Heard said. “It’s something for everybody. We have no benchwarmers. If you want to race, you’re gonna race. Everybody is a part of the practices.” 

Heard has been mountain biking individually for 12 years and said his favorite part of being a part of the Dawson County team is watching the development of the athletes around him.

“My favorite part is to see the development,” Heard said. “Seeing their confidence grow throughout the season is seeing the growth that happens throughout a single season.”

For more information on the Dawson County Mountain Biking team, find them on instagram at DawsonCompMTV or on Facebook at Dawson County MTV.