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Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 5:55 PM

Cooper Stickley has been a dominant force in the Amateur (13+) eMTB class throughout the 2026 GNCC season, winning all six rounds he competed in. In addition to his eMTB success, Stickley also competes in the 150 C Schoolboy class during Sunday's morning bike race. With eMTB doubleheaders turning into tripleheader weekends for Stickley, he's proven he isn't afraid of a busy race schedule. We caught up with Cooper to learn more about his racing background, success this season, and what it's like competing in both eMTB and traditional bike racing.

Stickley dominated the Amateur (13+) eMTB class in 2026.
Stickley dominated the Amateur (13+) eMTB class in 2026. Mack Faint

GNCC Racing: Let's start from the beginning. How did you first get into racing, and when was your first race? What made you want to compete in both eMTB and dirt bike racing?

Cooper Stickley:  I first got into racing because of my dad, who always raced, and my brother, and then I started racing at 4 years old. What made me want to compete in both eMTB and dirt bike racing each race weekend was just hearing all the good things about the eMTB races, so I figured I would try it out and continue racing eMTB if I had a great time doing it, like my dirt bike!

Racing has been a big part of your life for a long time. What does racing mean to you personally, beyond just the results and championships?  

What racing means to me personally is a passion for the amount of joy for the speed, challenges, and mental toughness needed each weekend during every condition and racing situation; to be the best I can be every time I line up on the starting line all the way to the finish! 

You've had an incredible season in the Amateur (13+) eMTB class, going undefeated through six races and wrapping up the championship early. What has been the biggest key to your success this year, and what does earning that championship mean to you?

The biggest key to my success this season so far this year is just going into each race ready for whatever comes and pushing all the way to the finish, trying to not get ahead of myself, just taking one lap at a time. This championship means a lot to me by just the hard work and dedication that goes into these races, accomplishing the main goal I set for myself and making it happen by wrapping the championship up early! 

Through the muddy and dry conditions, Stickley pushed through to win.
Through the muddy and dry conditions, Stickley pushed through to win. Mack Faint

On top of your class success, you've also managed to earn a few overall eMTB podiums this season. What has it been like competing against some of the top riders in the sport while racing in the Amateur class?

It has been super awesome being able to compete with some of the top riders in the sport coming from a few rows behind trying to get as high up in the overall as I can each race looking for that overall win each eMTB race coming close multiple times! 

At rounds like Mason-Dixon, where there's an eMTB doubleheader, you're actually racing three times throughout the weekend between eMTB and the 150 C Schoolboy class. How do you prepare yourself physically and mentally for that much racing?  

I prepare for weekends like this by making sure I am always hydrated and full of nutrients to make sure I am ready just like how my bikes can’t run unless there full-on gas and fully charged! 

How different is your approach to racing an eMTB compared to your dirt bike? Are there any skills that carry over between the two?

I don’t approach the eMTB and dirt bike racing too differently; I really just go into them both by giving it my all no matter what and going out to do what I love from the start to checkers. There definitely is a lot of skills that carry over between the two, especially like line choices and trusting how the bikes handle and perform in the different conditions. 

Stickley also races his dirt bike on Sunday's in the 150 C Schoolboy class.
Stickley also races his dirt bike on Sunday's in the 150 C Schoolboy class. Mack Faint

Do you have a favorite between racing eMTB and dirt bikes, or do you enjoy both for different reasons?  

I enjoy both for different reasons. They are very different from each other by just the bikes, but I enjoy how both are super intense and is just me and my bike out there each race trying to get the win!  

With all of your success in eMTB this season, what has been your favorite race or most memorable moment so far? 

My favorite race this season, that is also my favorite memories from this season so far, is the first round of the double header at Mason Dixon, where I enjoyed the tricky slick conditions, finishing first in my class and second overall, only two seconds away from the win! 

Looking ahead, what are your racing plans for 2027? Do you hope to continue competing in both disciplines?  

I definitely hope to continue competing in both dirt bike racing and eMTB for the 2027 season, for the eMTB I plan on racing XC2 for the rest of the rounds and then racing that class for next years season and for dirt bikes I still haven’t decided on what my plans are yet!

Stickley and family on the GNCC podium after earning a class win and second overall.
Stickley and family on the GNCC podium after earning a class win and second overall. Mack Faint

Finally, who are the people and sponsors who have helped you throughout the season that you'd like to thank?

I’d like to thank my parents for always getting me to the races and making sure I’m always ready each weekend, my grandparents, my whole race family, IronArmor, everyone at gear bicycles, Fullsend Racing, Tri state Powersports, 6D Helmets, FXR, Podiumworks, Scott Goggles, Enduro Engineering, Wossner Pistons, Mx Graphics, Mika Metals, IMs Products, Hoagie Moto, and the man above!