Getting to Know the Young & Very Fast Asa Vermette

Sep 26, 2023
by Alicia Leggett  
photo
We're excited, too, to see that bike doing so well.

It doesn't really surprise me anymore to see Asa Vermette's name near the top of a results sheet, though it certainly used to. I mean, the dude is 16 years old - the age when most of us are preoccupied with high school and getting our driving licenses. Unlike most of us, Asa got really fast at riding bikes, really early. The Colorado native lives in Durango, one of the mountain biking hotspots in the US, and seems to have really made the most of it, becoming one of the nation's top riders in both downhill and enduro. This year, he won his third junior downhill National Championship and also continued making his way into he pro category - which he's been mainly racing this year - and won the pro enduro National Championship ahead of Richie Rude. Actually, he's won the vast majority of events he's entered this year, which is no joke since they've been mostly pro events with serious competition. His most recent race was the US Open, where he placed second in the downhill, behind just Dakotah Norton and ahead of people with Minnaar, Breeden, and Goldstone in their names. This might be the first time you've heard of Asa, but we can be sure it won't be the last.


Who is Asa Vermette?


I’m a downhill mountain bike racer from Durango, Colorado, and still live in Durango.

How did you start mountain biking?


I’ve just grown up riding bikes with my parents!

Who are your sponsors?


Frameworks Racing, Enve wheels, Renen Clothing, BC Goggles, GoPro, Fox Bike, ODI Grips, 5Dev, 2nd Ave Sports.

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What does it mean to you to have backing from sponsors?


It’s sweet to have sponsors supporting me - it helps so much, and all of my sponsors are great friends to me which is sick.

How did you choose to work with Frameworks?


After the 2022 US Open when I got 3rd place in pro, Neko just asked me to ride one of his bikes the next day and I loved it.

What does a typical day look like for you?


I am always riding my bikes - downhill to enduro to dirt jumping, I love it all! And am usually doing all of them every day.

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What riding accomplishments are you most proud of?


This year I’m most proud of winning pro enduro National Championship, beating Aaron Gwin and Luca Shaw at the Downhill Southeast, and just recently getting 2nd place in the US Open in pro men!

How did it feel to win Nationals in such a stacked field?


It was crazy, I can’t really explain it, just stoked!

What does it do to your expectations for your future to have beaten the top riders you've beaten?


It feels really good just knowing that I have the speed to compete in the highest level.

photo

What are your strengths?


Definitely the steeper tracks because I’m lighter than most the other pros I race against haha.

What are your weaknesses?


Probably sprints but at least I know I can get better at them because I can do some training.

What’s the best part of being a downhill and enduro racer?


It’s just so sweet to be able to do what I love for a job! And I love it.

Where is your favorite place to ride?


Probably my local town Durango, Colorado!

What has been your worst crash over the years?


Probably at Bootleg this year. I had a pretty good one but didn’t break anything and was able to race!

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Who or what inspires you?


I don’t really know actually, I just love ripping my bikes down hills.

What do you enjoy doing away from mountain biking?


Dirt biking, I just recently got a Surron and those are sick. Haha just always on two wheels.

How do you want to be remembered?


Just as hopefully one of the best mountain bikers and a nice good dude haha.

What does the future hold for you?


Next year I’m racing all the World Cups and I’m sooo stoked for that! And just hopefully just more of that.

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Asa, thanks for taking the time to let us get to know you! Follow along with Asa on Instagram at @asavermette, and at the races on top of the podiums.

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146 Comments
  • 703 2
 Such a talent and great kid.
  • 72 1
 certified.
  • 151 2
 Goat has spoken.
  • 126 0
 If I were Asa I would turn this comment on a sticker for my bike
  • 29 2
 Thanks for showing Ada and the rest of us what is means to be a class act.
  • 20 1
 USA gravity racing on a come up
  • 37 1
 Is the SYNDICATE getting a Junior racer?
  • 7 1
 Another Jackson?
  • 17 2
 Maybe a Junior in the Syndicate…
Or maybe the GOAT is moving to Frameworks…
  • 4 0
 Seeing that Andorran flag next to your name hurt a little. Nevertheless I still want to give you a Milk tart for all that you have done to put SA on the map! Super stoked to be watching you in snow shoe from SA this weekend... Go Goat!
  • 1 0
 @DonB28: It's changed now.
  • 5 0
 When I did my first semi pro race in 2001, Greg was there, it was pretty cool.
It also means Greg is old enough to be Asa’s dad and have still have an older sibling to play with
  • 2 0
 Who or what inspires you?: “I don’t know.”
  • 6 0
 @blackthorne: Honest 16 year old answer.
  • 7 0
 @DonB28: Wahaha, I guess the mistake came in because my race license is Andorran.
  • 3 0
 Just watched his run and the reaction in the corral after. What an awesome moment for the start of what will be an amazing career for Asa. So cool, I cannot wait for him to get on the WC circuit.
  • 1 0
 @SchalkMarais: Cynical! SC would never do such a thing, how dare you. Shame on you.
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: Yeah he's one of the fastest guys on all the footage of the race and he's the sweeper lmao
  • 1 1
 Who is giving the negative props here??? Trolls always be trolling.
  • 2 0
 @MCBuckeystarbreaker: It's pretty easy to hit the wrong arrow and there's no fixing it (which is ridiculous in 2023), so don't read too much into the DV.
  • 74 4
 We've been stoked to have Asa on the team the last couple years and see his progression. Let's go Asa!
  • 3 2
 Stoked that anyone is still riding your insanely overpriced wheels. WA1 FTW
  • 53 1
 Overend, Sepp, Asa, Blevins... What the heck is in the water in Durango?!
  • 45 0
 And the Tomac's
  • 25 0
 Wells, Grotts, McElveen, Sturm and the list goes on.
  • 119 6
 3 million gallons of toxic mine waste water from the gold king mine 2015 spill?
  • 5 0
 @RBIFneil: Storm too Smile I just need to get him to race more.
  • 3 1
 Hummm….nothing to see here
  • 9 0
 This durangodevo.com sure helps.
  • 33 34
 Rich parents lol
  • 15 0
 It's Myles Rockwell's hometown and Missy Giove lived in Durango for over a decade - it's in the air, too. Feel me mon?
  • 6 0
 Awesome trail options from desert to high alpine with stuff accessible year round. Durango is in the middle of nowhere but such a cool place for outdoors.
  • 17 0
 Coming from a Durango native here, what’s a bit funny is that our trails aren’t even world class. They’re excellent in my opinion, but up until this summer, nothing new gets built. We don’t have very many legit jump lines (until the Mesa Bike park opens here very soon) and most of our trails are regular cut singletrack. I think it’s in the culture honestly. Every single person I meet on the trails in Durango is a dedicated shredder. Other places I’ve traveled have phenomenal trails, but a lot of the time the people are less “hardcore” (not saying that everyone on the trails are not hardcore, just less of them are.)
  • 10 0
 @gdharries: 100%, Durango Devo is huge. Lots of communities (mine included) learning a lot and trying to mimic what Devo has been doing for something like 16 years. Good listen on the backstory www.paysonmcelveen.com/podcast/episode/478ada6c/chad-cheeney-co-founder-of-durango-devo
  • 1 2
 @tlilly89: they’re in Cortez but yeah close by.
  • 2 0
 @andraperrella27: Of course Storm! Duh. Wink
  • 1 0
 @suspended-flesh: Myles lived there for a while but its not his hometown.
  • 1 0
 @MOBrules: OK- I stand corrected. Read that somewhere
  • 5 9
flag steviestokes FL (Sep 27, 2023 at 0:36) (Below Threshold)
 @taskmgr: money doesn't make you fast. Knob
  • 1 0
 @IsaacWislon82: this needs to be looked into
  • 25 0
 @taskmgr: You get downvoted but you are right in a important way! Any kid who can spend summers rolling from race to race across the continent, then the next summer in Europe doing the same, comes from a family of significant resources. A family that does this is actually not just paying for the athlete's summer of travel, but a parent to go as well. Obviously Asa didn't buy his talent! but competing at the elite level is definitely an activity for the privileged. Even just completing a regional series like the NWCup in my locale takes an unusual amount of financial freedom. For a long time, MTB was accessible to blue collar families (see every significant freerider and racer from BC in the 2000s), but that has changed fast.
  • 9 0
 @MT36: definitely. Its an important thing for success in sports, especially extreme sports. There are some insanely talented kids and people who just don't have the access to the training, not working, all of the best gear, etc.
  • 6 0
 @MT36: Kinda like travel ball for baseball families - not for the faint of heart, parent-wise. Big $$$ and way less chance of a pro payoff, too. Gotta help the kids take their shot, though. I sold a bike last summer to get my son to Reno for a single baseball tournament.
  • 1 0
 @RadioactiveBurrito: In the short amount of time I've spent in Durango, what you said was exactly what I noticed. Just walk in a bike shop in Durango and you see the history on the walls.... it's clear really quickly that Durango is just a super legit MTB town.
  • 10 0
 @taskmgr: I don't get the down votes. What you say is true. I live in an area where we breed NHL champions. The one factor that set the kids who go on to make careers in hockey on the upper levels is money. The poor kids only go so far unless they are on a talent level that get them scouted before their balls drop and voice changes. Money does make being a top tier athlete easier.
  • 3 0
 @chacou: @chacou: Chad is one of the best dudes in mountain biking. That guy's soul is in helping kids become strong riders and good people.
  • 1 0
 @tlilly89: He's from Michigan tho
  • 6 0
 @MT36: Man, I feel this. We spent a significant amount of money and time traveling for races this last year as we try to get my youngest more exposure and experience in different regions. Of course, it also makes for wonderful family experiences, and together time for the whole family... but we are extremely privileged to be able to do so. My wife and I both work fairly flexible jobs that pay well, but we've still had to make serious sacrifices.

Then the school year starts, and you realize how many of the kids your kid is racing again are homeschooled or virtual school... so they just keep on traveling and racing while your kid returns to the "real world" of school with tons of homework and very limited time outside the school building to train and ride.

We wouldn't trade the experiences for anything, but it's definitely a crazy world as you move into the "serious" level. But... moto has been like that for a while from what I understand.
  • 4 0
 @MT36: Yeah I think we are probably getting closer to where DH racing at the elite level is going to be like motocross is at a young age. Home schooling, riding every day or as much as possible, traveling around to hit as many races as possible.

Moto has been like this for a really long time, you dont need money to have talent but to travel around and race and be able to afford to ride everyday and either homeschool or private school your child is very expensive.

There are a ton of families spending 30k a year to race amateur motocross not even counting buying bikes,parts, et.
  • 3 0
 @Aem221: And the worst is that we're traveling for Enduro... which appears to be on its way out. We just have zero ability to train/race downhill in Arkansas, so we've always concentrated on Enduro. But... dang... it's kind of grim for US youngsters coming up in that sport right now. I do sort of hope that some of the brands pulling out of EDR are going to provide more/additional support for regional enduro racers and race series, which would work out alright for my kid.
  • 2 0
 @Hogfly: Word up. We have been taking our son to DH races and it has been an amazing experience. The group ride, festival vibe is so much fun. But, I definitely am aware how fortunate we are that we can afford it. This summer our son told us he would rather just do fun trips to bike parks and skip the racing part, going forward. This was a HUGE relief because he is in junior high and it is really clear that if he wanted to keep competitive through high school, it would be a major effort to fund and make time for that kind of program. I was always amazed how many parents I met had the time and resources to travel the continent with their racer in a van half the year. I'm so relieved now I don't have to keep pace with that!! He will be home schooled still, but there is so much less pressure now to just roll up to bike parks and focus on the fun
  • 3 0
 @MT36: Not necessarily. I know of families who scrape by with multiple jobs (all freelance and remote) and work hard at sponsorships, funding and grants to support their young athlete's dreams and aspirations. Their families don't have a lot of money, and sacrifice quite a lot to spend time on the road with them, travelling and competing.

This is overwhelmingly not true for everyone, but it is a reality for others.
  • 2 0
 @gdharries: Sure I admire that and see some of that. But that sort of "scraping by" lifestyle is not for most parents and can be a big strain to sustain for a long period. It's kind of an alternative lifestyle but can work for a small number. The overwhelming majority of juniors we will be seeing graduate from North America to the WC circuit will be from affluent families, I predict based on what I see now.
  • 2 0
 Seeing as USA Cycling recently partnered with USPA (US Performance Academy) as their "athlete school for virtual learning" that starts at $16,000/semester, it's pretty clear the income bracket that can afford to give their kids the opportunities, time, and resources to become elite athletes.

However, for the most of us current and future day-jobbers, local racing still exists, and we can get our fix of competition on the weekends just fine.
  • 2 0
 @gdharries: That seems sort of silly though, best case scenario you get a young rider to the level to qualify 30th for a world cup which certainly doesn't pay enough to make it worth a whole family scraping by for 10 years.
  • 6 0
 @Aem221: But... no one is going to get any kind of ROI on their kid in mountain biking... unlike in a lot of the ball sports where parents can delude themselves into thinking their kid is going to make it "big" and bring the whole family along for the ride.

I always joke that most likely scenario for making it "big" in mountain biking involves my kid couch surfing in my basement in the off season. If you're not doing it for the experience as a family, then you're nuts because the top tier of MTB athletes is a pretty paltry living.
  • 2 0
 @Hogfly: Yeah totally agree with everything you said nothing wrong with spending the money and the time doing it for fun but if a family is scraping by to take their kid racing then maybe they should scale the racing back.
  • 1 0
 @andraperrella27: saw Storm riding with Asa a few weeks ago when I was coaching at Purgatory. Hadn't seen him since he was 5'6" and a kid!
  • 4 0
 @MT36: MTB is still open to all, but trust me, racing isn't cheap. Not by any stretch at all. Even in a country as small as the UK i'd estimate i've spent £15,000 this year on racing for my boy who races in Youth. (Same as Asa). That does include some things we can sell next year, but it's still £12,000 outlay for race entries, fuel, food, travel etc... So yeah, not a cheap sport to race in.
The one thing that does amaze me is how many kids are home schooled/not schooled depending on your interpretation. Loads and loads seem to spend 3 days at tracks before the next race, which are what i'd normally say are school days... weird.
Elite level is obviously next level as you're spending money travelling Europe and potentially the world. But even in Youth/Junior the riders will be racing IXS cups, which are scattered throughout Europe, which really again is next level of expenditure.
  • 40 0
 “And a nice good dude haha”
Freaking love it! Kid is all time! Humble and genuine as it gets and that plus his skills… he’s going to take it all!! Future is as bright as it gets for him and so pumped to watch it happen!
  • 1 0
 Yessir!
  • 41 0
 Love seeing Asa being so successful on a Frameworks. Neko does a lot for the up and coming riders in the US and certainly deserves more credit for the things hes done to help and inspire people.
  • 6 0
 It would be great if Neko could help Asa and Asa help Neko.
Some real synergies there to build a brand around. It’s a great story now… imagine it in a few years if they had a plan around working together?
Pitch that we’ll and an angel investor might get psyched in Neko, FTW and Asa.
  • 20 0
 IMO Neko is absolutely carrying USDH right now. From DHSE to Windrock to Kanuga to Rock Creek to now supporting Asa through Frameworks, seems like he's had a hand in almost everything exciting happening here
  • 31 2
 When l was 16 I was flunking out of high school, ran away from home smoking dope. Hated my step mother. Life royally sucked at 16. So happy this kid is doing something with his life and at such an early age! Give em hell Asa!
  • 39 0
 How are things for you now?
  • 38 0
 @nateb: Well friend, I'm doing all right. Thanks for asking :⁠-⁠)
  • 32 1
 The future of American downhill is bright
  • 1 0
 Unlike enduro.
  • 3 1
 @nickfranko: And a lot of people were saying DH is dead and EDR is the way. I hope they both thrive, but I was hearing that spiel here 5 years ago....
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: We where saying EWS is the way, so much for that...
  • 7 0
 @nickfranko: Asa actually won the enduro national title, beating Richie in the pro category.
  • 18 0
 Polite, humble, hard working, and crazy talented - Asa's the real deal.
  • 18 0
 Now do one on Atletha.
  • 11 0
 Stoked for Asa, his family and the Durango MTB scene in general!

But the riding is lame so don't bother checking it out and definitely don't move here. Wink
  • 8 25
flag DetroitCity (Sep 26, 2023 at 14:27) (Below Threshold)
 It is lame. Your sarcasm is misplaced.
  • 4 5
 @DetroitCity: Just checking it out on trailforks, and it's not blowing my socks off. Glad the kid found ways to progress there, though.
  • 2 8
flag DetroitCity (Sep 26, 2023 at 15:36) (Below Threshold)
 @jayacheess: the 1 dh trail I rode on my spur. Its a bunch of loose dirt and blown out eroded rain channels.
  • 13 1
 @jayacheess: What if I told you there was a lot of riding around there that is not on Trailforks...Also zoom out and look a bit north
  • 11 1
 Yep just go on thinking it’s lame…
  • 3 0
 @bicycle019: haha right! So much epic stuff that is gnarly! Just need to know where to look…
  • 3 0
 @DetroitCity: haha that’s because you didn’t find the other trails in that area that are so steep they handle run off pretty well. How was your Spur at Purg?
  • 3 0
 @jayacheess: Trailforks can suck it. I was an early adopter of that app and it later tried to suck the soul out of my pocket.
  • 1 8
flag DetroitCity (Sep 27, 2023 at 6:15) (Below Threshold)
 @birdsandtrees: thats because I have an Arizona license plate and everyone in Durango is rude to everyone from Texas or Arizona.
  • 2 0
 @DetroitCity: I went there with a California plate, made friends, rode the unsanctioned steeps, etc so I don’t believe you haha
  • 2 1
 @birdsandtrees: as much as they are trying, Arizona and Texas are still not California.
  • 1 0
 Colo(not so)rado
  • 2 0
 @DetroitCity: everyone on this thread is correct: Durango mtb sucks big time! Not worth visiting, and DEFINITELY don’t consider moving to DGO!!
  • 3 1
 @yo-EDDY: Except its actually true. The trails are meh. The city is full of homeless and hipsters, and its 700k for a 1 bedroom house without AC. I definitely won't be moving or visiting anytime soon.
  • 11 0
 Welcome back Alicia!! Beer
  • 8 0
 He's got an attitude very similar to Goldstone when it comes to riding, which seems to be the perfect mix of 'I love what I'm doing, and I'm having fun doing it'
  • 10 1
 Rad to see some young speed coming out of the USA.
  • 12 3
 he even beat mr goldstone this weekend, hes the next greg minaar
  • 6 0
 As someone who lives in a different part of Colorado and is the same age as Asa I just have to say that their DEVO program is world class and something the rest of the state is very jealous of. Nice work!
  • 6 0
 What a dude! Not only does he get on Pinkbike. Greg Minnar is the first one to comment. I hope to see more of him in the future. We just need the TV coverage to help him and the sport.
  • 10 1
 F**k yeah Asa!!!!
  • 8 0
 Can't wait to see him at the WC's next year
  • 10 3
 who or what inspires you?
- I don’t really know actually, I just love ripping my bikes down hills.

Asa for President 2024
  • 3 0
 www.asa2024.com
  • 7 7
 Wait, you want someone with no introspection for President? Isn’t that how we got Trump?
  • 1 2
 @nickfranko: ya, so?
  • 5 0
 Just wild talent! He beat Gwin, Minaar, Richie, Goldstone, Shaw and others is a testament of speed and technicality this kid has. I cannot wait to see him in World cups next year!!!
  • 4 0
 "I’ve just grown up riding bikes with my parents!" - This is key, kids who ride early and often with their parents stand a much better chance of loving MTB and being pretty decent. The recent advancement is kid's bikes makes it much easier for kids to get out a ride. Parents must be willing to go slower and enjoy the ride in a different way. Kids' pace increases quickly and soon enough they will leave you in the dust.
  • 7 1
 US open was sick. crowd went nuts when he came down the line. what an awesome weekend!
  • 4 0
 1st saw him a few yrs ago at the mtn creek national. We were like who was that kid during practice. He was super fast! 14 yrs old and just as fast as the elites then. Such a talent !
  • 4 0
 Asa's the man and him and neko are super approachable, passed them walking the track at the US Open. Can't wait to watch him in the world cup's
  • 6 0
 Durango boy!!!
  • 3 0
 Can't wait to see what Asa can do at the World Cups aboard the Frameworks! Plus with Neko back racing too, it's going to be a great season!
  • 3 0
 Interesting to see such a top rider come out of a place where it snows half the year! Does he ride somewhere else or does he do another sport in the winter?
  • 9 0
 Durango's ride season is decently long, probably 8+ months and there are lots of ride spots in warmer temps that are a short drive away south and west of there.
  • 2 0
 He's a solid skier and moto rider.
  • 3 0
 He rides moto A LOT during the winter
  • 5 1
 Speaks tons for Neko's frame! Nice to see someone so young whipping on the big boys Smile
  • 7 3
 Is Jackson Goldstone sponsored by sour patch kids?
  • 10 0
 Dont think so, made me buy some tho. have not noticed a difference in riding speed.
  • 5 0
 Kids got it.
  • 4 0
 ummmmm F yea ASA. keep fun #1 and find yourself at the top. AV3 !!!
  • 4 0
 Bootleg, what a great trail system. Sorry it bit you Asa.
  • 6 0
 Bootleg Canyon - Reaper of Epidermis.
  • 6 0
 @suspended-flesh: basically a giant cheese grater sticking out of the ground…
  • 4 0
 At least it bites everyone indiscriminately lol
  • 3 0
 It's not that far from me, and I will never go there, for this very reason.
  • 4 0
 Will he be racing in Snowshoe? Can't wait!
  • 4 0
 He's not old enough.
  • 4 0
 The future (Now!) of American racing! Let’s go!
  • 2 0
 Great kid with a great attitude and work ethic - love to see it! Shout out to @DVOSuspension and @ENVE for picking him up early. Bootleg winter training strikes again.
  • 1 0
 @asavermette, hey if you are at Purg this friday lets do a couple laps? Ill be there with my homies Aaron & James the Law.
  • 1 0
 Sure hope he can find a proper team, I admire what this FW deal is trying to accomplish, but this kid is gonna need full team support to reach his potential.
  • 2 0
 I'm hyped on this kid haha
  • 2 0
 He is so fast; sick whips also at the us open!
  • 2 0
 Yes, Asa! So stoked for you.
  • 3 1
 This dude is gonna go huge for US DH
  • 2 0
 Hope we keep seeing more from this interviewer!
  • 2 0
 I predict that Minnaar retires and Asa takes his place.
  • 1 0
 This interview is the DH MTB version of the famous news clip interview of the "Get Pitted" surfer bro The Wedge. Lolol
  • 1 0
 Cool to read about him here
  • 1 0
 Rad , super hard charger that'll definitely be a force on the WC circuit.
  • 1 1
 Ive heard he rips on a moto, didnt see any moto content on his instagram. Need some moto content!
  • 1 0
 How do you want to be remembered?
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