Written by: James McKnight
Photography: Red Bull Content Pool
Scroll down
Rachel Atherton is the most successful British mountain biker of all time. But, beyond her numerous world titles, Atherton has made an indelible mark on the sport, charismatically bringing it to an ever-growing audience and always working hard to get more people on bikes.
Champions aren’t born so. They get there through practise, devotion and perseverance. Rachel Atherton knows better than any.
Exclusion Zone (RedBull.com Header)
Downhill mountain biking’s dominant World Champion earnt her place at the top through hard work and commitment.
Rachel
Born:
Salisbury,
UK
From
170cm
Height:
Downhill MTB
Discipline
37
World Cup Wins
World Championships
06
05
From an early age, bikes were always in the Atherton family portrait. Rachel and her two older brothers, Dan and Gee, all took to two wheels, from BMX to mountain biking, and all went on to race professionally.
Growing up an Atherton
It was only a matter of time before Rachel was old enough to start racing in local and then national events across Britain. This was the beginning of her ascension through cycling’s ranks. In 2005, Rachel won the Junior World Championship, as well as performing highly in the Elite rank, despite technically not being old enough to compete, as she was only 17 years old.
Anyone who has watched any Atherton ride a bike knows that unfaltering commitment is a family trait. It was this drive and desire that saw the trio of siblings move from Salisbury England to the bigger hills of the Dyfi Valley in Wales, where they began to build innumerable technical tracks deep in the forests, creating a perfect training environment.
Rachel's success in MTB
"
"
Every year I’m surprised how fast Rach rides. I know she’s dominated World Cups, but when you actually follow her down the track it’s amazing. Rachel is always competing against herself, it’s hard to imagine that feeling that only a win will do.
6th December 1987, (Age 31)
Rachel's name is cemented at the top of downhill mountain biking: she has claimed five World Championships, six World Cup overall titles, 37 World Cup race wins, 10 British Championships and has set records in the sport, including winning 13 consecutive World Cup rounds and achieving a perfect season, winning every World Cup round as well as the World Championships in 2016.
Since 2008, Rachel has dominated the Elite category, winning 6 World Cup titles and 5 World Championships.
Beyond wins and titles, Rachel Atherton’s contribution to mountain biking is enormous. She helped shape the Welsh downhill scene and, beyond that handiwork, her presence in mainstream media, including appearances on national radio and television, continues to give an upbeat, enthusiastic image to the sport in the public eye.
Rachel's impact on Mountain Biking
In the Atherton Academy, Rachel and her team bring new talent into the sport. She also personally sponsored the Junior Female category in the British Downhill Series in a bid to get more girls racing, and in the annual Red Bull Foxhunt she encourages women of all abilities to get out and enjoy mountain biking.
"
she harnesses her self-doubt and the near overwhelming fear of losing; the second she’s out of the start gate she’s calm, meditative and racing for the win...
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
10
RECORD CONSECUTIVE WINS
13
The Athertons don’t do anything by halves though, and their bike company is no exception.
Using 3D printing for the frame means they can create and test prototype frames in a fraction of the time it would take a big brand to do the same. Judging by the speed at which Rachel and co. are already rallying their new downhill bikes, it seems that the top step of the podium isn’t going to be relinquished any time soon.
For 2019, Rachel, her siblings and team take on a new challenge with reinvigorated motivation – setting up their own bike brand.
Atherton Bikes
ATHERTON
World Cup Titles
– Dan Atherton
"
"
"
You have to keep challenging yourself. We’ve been racing World Cups for 20 years, and it’s the same thing: flying down mountains as fast as you can. You’ve got to keep bringing in things that keep your mind going.
– Head of Comms for Atherton Bikes Gill Harris on why Rachel is an outstanding competitor
– Rachel Atherton
World Cup Titles
Dan Atherton
Head of Comms for Atherton Bikes Gill Harris on why Rachel is an outstanding competitor
Rachel Atherton is the most successful British mountain biker of all time. But, beyond her numerous world titles, Atherton has made an indelible mark on the sport, charismatically bringing it to an ever-growing audience and always working hard to get more people on bikes.
Champions aren’t born so. They get there through practise, devotion and perseverance. Rachel Atherton knows better than any.
6th December 1987, (Age 31)
Born:
Salisbury,
UK
From
170cm
Height:
Downhill MTB
Discipline
37
06
05
World Cup Wins
World Championships
From an early age, bikes were always in the Atherton family portrait. Rachel and her two older brothers, Dan and Gee, all took to two wheels, from BMX to mountain biking, and all went on to race professionally.
It was only a matter of time before Rachel was old enough to start racing in local and then national events across Britain. This was the beginning of her ascension through cycling’s ranks. In 2005, Rachel won the Junior World Championship, as well as performing highly in the Elite rank, despite technically not being old enough to compete, as she was only 17 years old.
Growing up an Atherton
"
"
Every year I’m surprised how fast Rach rides. I know she’s dominated World Cups, but when you actually follow her down the track it’s amazing. Rachel is always competing against herself, it’s hard to imagine that feeling that only a win will do.
JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION
2005
Anyone who has watched any Atherton ride a bike knows that unfaltering commitment is a family trait. It was this drive and desire that saw the trio of siblings move from Salisbury England to the bigger hills of the Dyfi Valley in Wales, where they began to build innumerable technical tracks deep in the forests, creating a perfect training environment.
Rachel's name is cemented at the top of downhill mountain biking: she has claimed five World Championships, six World Cup overall titles, 37 World Cup race wins, 10 British Championships and has set records in the sport, including winning 13 consecutive World Cup rounds and achieving a perfect season, winning every World Cup round as well as the World Championships in 2016.
Since 2008, Rachel has dominated the Elite category, winning 6 World Cup titles and 5 World Championships.
Rachel's success in MTB
In the Atherton Academy, Rachel and her team bring new talent into the sport. She also personally sponsored the Junior Female category in the British Downhill Series in a bid to get more girls racing, and in the annual Red Bull Foxhunt she encourages women of all abilities to get out and enjoy mountain biking.
Beyond wins and titles, Rachel Atherton’s contribution to mountain biking is enormous. She helped shape the Welsh downhill scene and, beyond that handiwork, her presence in mainstream media, including appearances on national radio and television, continues to give an upbeat, enthusiastic image to the sport in the public eye.
Rachel's impact on Mountain Biking
"
"
she harnesses her self-doubt and the near overwhelming fear of losing; the second she’s out of the start gate she’s calm, meditative and racing for the win...
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
10
RECORD CONSECUTIVE WINS
13
The Athertons don’t do anything by halves though, and their bike company is no exception. Using 3D printing for the frame means they can create and test prototype frames in a fraction of the time it would take a big brand to do the same. Judging by the speed at which Rachel and co. are already rallying their new downhill bikes, it seems that the top step of the podium isn’t going
to be relinquished any time soon.
For 2019, Rachel, her siblings and
team take on a new challenge with reinvigorated motivation – setting
up their own bike brand.
Atherton Bikes
ATHERTON
Rachel
Downhill mountain biking’s dominant World Champion earnt her place at the top through hard work and commitment.
Written by: James McKnight
Photography: Red Bull Content Pool
Scroll down
Rachel Atherton
"
"
You have to keep challenging yourself. We’ve been racing World Cups for 20 years, and it’s the same thing: flying down mountains as fast as you can. You’ve got to keep bringing in things that keep your mind going.
ATHERTON
World Cup Titles
Rachel
Dan Atherton
Rachel Atherton
Head of Comms for Atherton Bikes Gill Harris on why Rachel is an outstanding competitor
Rachel Atherton is the most successful British mountain biker of all time. But, beyond her numerous world titles, Atherton has made an indelible mark on the sport, charismatically bringing it to an ever-growing audience and always working hard to get more people on bikes.
Champions aren’t
born so. They get there through practise, devotion and perseverance. Rachel Atherton knows better than any.
6th December 1987, (Age 31)
Born
Salisbury, UK
From
170cm
Height
Downhill MTB
Discipline
37
06
05
World Cup Wins
World Championships
From an early age, bikes were always in the Atherton family portrait. Rachel and her two older brothers, Dan and Gee, all took to two wheels, from BMX to mountain biking, and all went on to race professionally.
It was only a matter of time before Rachel was old enough to start racing in local and then national events across Britain. This was the beginning of her ascension through cycling’s ranks. In 2005, Rachel won the Junior World Championship, as well as performing highly in the Elite rank, despite technically not being old enough to compete, as she was only 17 years old.
Growing up an Atherton
"
"
Every year I’m surprised how fast Rach rides. I know she’s dominated World Cups, but when you actually follow her down the track it’s amazing. Rachel is always competing against herself, it’s hard to imagine that feeling that only a win will do.
Anyone who has watched any Atherton ride a bike knows that unfaltering commitment is a family trait. It was this drive and desire that saw the trio of siblings move from Salisbury England to the bigger hills of the Dyfi Valley in Wales, where they began to build innumerable technical tracks deep in the forests, creating a perfect training environment.
Rachel's name is cemented at the top of downhill mountain biking: she has claimed five World Championships, six World Cup overall titles, 37 World Cup race wins, 10 British Championships and has set records in the sport, including winning 13 consecutive World Cup rounds and achieving a perfect season, winning every World Cup round as well as the World Championships in 2016.
Since 2008, Rachel has dominated the Elite category, winning 6 World Cup titles and 5 World Championships.
Rachel's success in MTB
In the Atherton Academy, Rachel and her team bring new talent into the sport. She also personally sponsored the Junior Female category in the British Downhill Series in a bid to get more girls racing, and in the annual Red Bull Foxhunt she encourages women of all abilities to get out and enjoy mountain biking.
Beyond wins and titles, Rachel Atherton’s contribution to mountain biking is enormous. She helped shape the Welsh downhill scene and, beyond that handiwork, her presence in mainstream media, including appearances on national radio and television, continues to give an upbeat, enthusiastic image to the sport in the public eye.
Rachel's impact on Mountain Biking
"
"
"
she harnesses her self-doubt and the near overwhelming fear of losing; the second she’s out of the start gate she’s calm, meditative and racing for the win...
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
10
RECORD CONSECUTIVE WINS
13
The Athertons don’t do anything by halves though, and their bike company is no exception. Using 3D printing for the frame means they can create and test prototype frames in a fraction of the time it would take a big brand to do the same. Judging by the speed at which Rachel and co. are already rallying their new downhill bikes, it seems that the top step of the podium isn’t going to be relinquished any time soon.
For 2019, Rachel, her siblings and team take on a new challenge with reinvigorated motivation – setting up their own bike brand.
Atherton Bikes
Downhill mountain biking’s dominant World Champion earnt her place at the top through hard work and commitment.
Written by: James McKnight
Photography: Red Bull Content Pool / Atherton Bikes
"
You have to keep challenging yourself. We’ve been racing World Cups for 20 years, and it’s the same thing: flying down mountains as fast as you can. You’ve got to keep bringing in things that keep your mind going.