I think the road will be picking up as these kids mature.
This weekend junior endos after "a great climb" and I have to drive on these epic paved roads (Red Rock, Manitou Springs) to pick him up. He is smashing up his body, having fun doing it. I am looking forward to collegiate MTB nats this Friday in Big Bear. This is not his discipline, actually nothing is these days, but I don't think he is going to loose it on the climbs. Hitting the dirt deck has become a regular thing.
FWIW - he has never crashed in a non junior USAC category road bike race. MTB is different.