The team unveiled new bikes and race kit and chatted about the strength that they draw from being part of the immensely successful Atherton/GT bicycles collaboration and their individual goals as they gear up for 2014.

In this 3rd year of partnership with GT Factory Racing the team will be aiming to defend the “World’s Fastest Downhill team“ Title which they have held for the previous two years as well as a World Championship, Overall World Series wins in Downhill and Enduro, two British National Championships and two British Series Championships.
The team will be aboard a couple of prototype bikes from GT this year, these bikes have been built to the needs of the race team and at present there are no plans to take them into production. The most obvious upgrade to the Fury is the move to 650b wheels, which the team have tested extensively for the past 6 months. The team have worked closely with GT’s chief engineer Etienne Warney on a few other modifications, which will remain a closely guarded secret while Atherton Racing and GT strive together to produce the fastest bikes on the circuit.

The rider line up is unchanged from 2013
Downhill Team
Gee Atherton, Men’s Elite – World Cup Ranking 2nd
Rachel Atherton, Women’s Elite  – World Champion, Overall World Cup Series Winner
Marc Beaumont, Men’s Elite – World Cup Ranking 20th
Taylor Vernon, Junior
Enduro Team
Dan Atherton
Martin Maes – Junior World Champion

Following the actual and potential success of our junior riders Taylor and Martin and the acknowledging the contribution they have made to the development of the team we will be supporting a third young rider, 14 year old Kade Edwards from Huddersfield, through our Atherton Academy. The Academy will become a stepping stone programme guiding young talent through the initial stages of their race careers.

Team Director Dan Brown said “We are delighted to be racing into 2014 with the same winning formula of rider line-up and sponsor partnerships. 2013 saw some significant developments and some exciting successes, we plan to build upon these successes and redress a few hardships. There’ll be some changes for sure, as team director I’ll do everything I can to let the riders shine and I’m confident that my support team and all of the sponsors are right behind me.”

2013 was an vintage year for Rachel Atherton with a World Championship win, Overall series win in World Cup, she overtook Steve Peat’s World Cup victories to became the most awarded British Mountain-biker in the history of the sport and helped to put Downhill Mountain-biking on the mainstream sports fans’ map when she won the inaugural BT action Woman of the year award.
Rachel said, “I cannot wait to get started on 2014. People ask if I’m satisfied and where I will find a challenge but I will never be satisfied, and I’m fully aware that the Women racers are getting faster and stronger every season. If they want those titles they are going to have to push me hard for them.”

Gee Atherton is recognised as one of the most consistently successful mountain-bikers ever to race. 2013 looked to be the year he might take the overall World Cup Series for the second time in his career but in a nail-biting final he was beaten back to second place. This year he aims to change that – and there is the small matter of a World Championship to contend.
Gee said “ Everything is here for me – the new bikes are great, we have an amazing support system in place and I’m coming off the back of a great winter’s training – now it’s down to me to put it all together for the win.”

Marc Beaumont agreed,  “ I think we are all feeling really good. Everybody knows that I was disappointed with where I ended up last year but I’ll be looking to get back into the top 10 – pre season has gone well, I’m really comfortable with the new bike it feels amazing…I know that I have the capability and the support necessary to make happen so I won’t rest until I’m back up there.

Taylor Vernon said “ Last year was so hard for me but thanks to incredible support from my family, the Injury management team at Harris and Ross and all of the GT Factory Racing team I’m ready to race again. I’ve learnt a lot from this whole experience and I’m stoked to be getting back out there.

Dan Atherton said,  “I am devastated to be missing Round 1 of the World Series, I’ve never been more ready to race, but I‘ve been here many times before and I know exactly the path I need to take to get race fit again.”

Martin Maes said  “I am massively disappointed for Dan and I’ll miss having my friend and mentor with me in Chile but at the same time I’m massively excited to get the season started – it’s been agreed that I can start with the General Classification

Source: http://athertonracing.co.uk
Photos: Laurence Crossman-Emms