Photos by:
Robin Kitchin Keith Valentine and
Ian MacLennan
OK guys (and Rach), I guess we should start with the obvious questions for all three of you. After that we’ll break off into some more specific individual questions.
Any way you could divulge full names and places of residence, or will that result in a throng of stalkers?
Dan: Dan Atherton, Llangynog, UK
Gee: Gee Atherton, Llangynog, England!
Rachel: I fyny 'r bancia , i lawr 'r adrywedd , chwmpasa 'r chornela a ach 'na!
OK there, Rach (laughs). Has it been tough dealing with your international stardom, the paparazzi and the ever-annoying interviewers? Was it a natural transition for each of you going from kid-riding-a-Huffy status to World Cup winners?
G: I don’t think it has been tough at all, you know there are definitely times when it gets on top of you and it’s hard work, but I was brought up to work at things, with an attitude that any thing worth having is worth working for. If it was an easy job everyone would do it.
D: Enter Dan Brown, he holds it all together and seriously, things would be very different were it not for his constant push and commitment. I never thought about it, and I never felt any change, there was no point where I thought, “Damn, I have made it!” I guess I am still working towards that point.
R: I think getting into the sport fairly young sets you up well for dealing with those things. It’s a slow process, really. It’s nice though because it’s crazy to think that people want to talk to you! I sometimes struggle with the fact that no matter what you do, you can’t be loved by everyone, I’m learning to grow thick skin!
The Atherton Project Part 1:
You all bounced around a bit on sponsors before settling on Commencal a couple of seasons ago, what is it about the Animal/Commencal setup that you like most?
R: For me, I like the fact that everything is quite one on one, you know? Both companies allow us and want to work intimately, and it’s perfect being able to do so with the guys, have fun with them all and yet still produce a professional team at the end if it. We have so much of the same visions and ideas going on it's nuts!
D: Commencal are super down to earth; Max, the owner, is a super genuine guy who has seen what it takes to get to the top of a sport and also how little it takes to drop off that top spot. They support us and we trust them, I think that trust between an athlete and a sponsor goes a long way.
G: It is hard to say what one single thing is that I like, but what I can say is that if you are racing at the most competitive level you need to feel like you are in the best position to do that. We all felt good on the teams we were on before but we wanted to do more, so naturally we moved ourselves into a better position, a position in which we could reach the top.
The Atherton Project Part 2:
And you’ve done that admirably! But can you give us an example of when you get on each other’s nerves?
G: That is a question I get asked a lot, I don’t know why but people love to hear about times when we fight, it happens quite a bit. Rach and myself are always winding each other up, she gets so wild. Dan is a bit mellower though, it takes a bit more to get him agro, but when he does he just snaps and kicks my ass (laughs).
R: Yeah, Gee and I fight like nothing else, I really enjoy it actually! When he isn’t around I get so annoyed because Dan will not fight or argue with me, he just won’t, and so I try even harder. Saying that, sometimes he performs spectacularly and we have a right old fight! Mostly Dan’ll fight when I’m being a spoilt brat and having a tantrum, and Gee and I will fight about who hoovers the most or who rides Moto the most!
D: Having Gee and Rach around all the time is definitely a unique set-up, there are times when they annoy the (insert preferred expletive) out of me, but we are all heading in the same direction and there is nobody else in the world who understands what I want and where I want to be better than they do.
The Atherton Project Part 3:
Is it tough to watch each other race?
D: I think that its hard to watch Rach race as she is my little sister but with Gee it feels like we are competing, with everything we do there is always that edge there that makes me want to beat him so bad.
G: I love watching the other two race. It’s frustrating sometimes if they get beaten because I know better than anyone how skilled they are and what potential they have. I just want to watch them smash everyone to pieces every time they ride. When they do it makes me so proud.
R: Yeah I’m the opposite, I hate watching them race! Actually, it’s the most insane feeling ever, I love it and hate it passionately. I always feel like I’m watching from somewhere else, watching myself watching them. It’s like my heart can’t bear to be inside my chest for a second longer and my blood is too thick with nerves too flow right, I would give anything in the world right then to help them out. It might sound kooky but I think that feeling sums love up. Wow! That was a bit much!
Not at all Rach, it leads into the next question really well. Do you take a lot of energy, positive or negative, from each other’s results?
R: I would say that the best and worst thing about being on a team with each other is that every feeling is amplified a thousand fold, so when things go fantastically there is no better feeling on earth, but when things go bad then it is so hard not to fall into the abyss. I like it though, it's what makes us strong. We have learned a lot this past year and we can overlook it better now so we don’t get as affected.
D: I think this year has proved that very fact, we feed off one another and if one of us is missing or injured then it shows in our results.
G: Yes, for sure, like I said when they do well it’s the best feeling ever, it gives me so much inspiration.
The Atherton Project Part 4:
What are your favourite courses, DH or 4X, on the WC circuit?
G: Probably Maribor for me, which is weird because I've had some less than awesome results there.
R: That’s hard to say, really hard. Val Di Sole, Italy, my memories of that place are topped by none. The track is pretty much perfect and when its wet, 10 out of 10.
D: Downhill at Fort William, that place is so tough.
The Atherton Project Part 5:
Would you like to start seeing more independent races like the US Open start to gain steam?
R: YES!
D: Independent races seem to have people behind them that care and so as a result the races have a unique feel to them.
G: Yes I would, there is such huge potential in the US, and once DH starts to grow again in the US it will help the sport grow. There are always such pinners coming out of the US that it seems stupid for them not to have the support and training facilities they need to develop. I would definitely back any projects that would help the situation in the US!
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| Pic by Tyler Maine |
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D: Dan Brown was a massive player in the push to start the Atherton Project.
G: It just grew from stuff we had done in the past. We knew we wanted to do something different because we knew everyone would be doing the standard video blogs for the world cup race teams in '09. Red Bull wanted to get involved and help us push it so it could grow a lot more with their backing, and we could take ideas we had in the past and actually make them a reality. Red Bull seem to do that better than anyone.
R: Red Bull? Clay? Nancy? It was pretty much Red Bull’s idea to launch the Atherton Project, it seemed a natural progression from the podcasts we had been doing. We learned a hell of a lot this year, as with all new projects, and had a lot of fun doing so! I hope people can enjoy watching it and not take it too seriously!
The Atherton Project Part 6:
The Atherton Project Part 7:
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| Rach checking out the Atherton Project online |
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R: Ummm, hang on, I'll just ask...
D: Oh yeah, there are so many options working with a company like Red Bull.
G: Yeah, there are definitely plans, but all I can say is watch this space, rest assured it will be going down bigger and better, one way or another.
The Atherton Project Part 8:
The Atherton Project Part 9:
Your favourite bike part and why?
D: Atherton Pro 4X Bars, they’ve got amazing angles!
R: The wheel. What a FANTASTIC design! Just imagine life without it…Wow, I’d rather not.
G: The Atherton Pro Star series, because I designed it...(laughs).
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| Picture by Clayton Racicot |
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G: A group of dudes wrapped in lycra trying to look rad on a hill strikes me as a bit of a contradiction in terms. I’m not into it, and I’m sure everyone is over hearing this discussion!
D: Stanny pulls them off like no other!
R: Personally, I like them! They make me feel fast, stealth, and somewhat lady like, it’s ideal!
The Atherton Project Part 10:
If you guys (and Rach) think that’s enough general stuff, I’d like to get some individual questions in. I’ll Start with Dan:
Which discipline, DH or 4X, do you get more excited about before your run begins?
I get a lot more nervous before downhill, with 4X it is just get in there and get the job done, but downhill you have to be calm and take your time.
The World Cup in Houffalize was 4X only this year, and you did really well. Was it good to have a weekend to focus on one discipline instead of both?
D: It is definitely tough doing both, but I would not do it any other way! I still believe it is possible to do both at the top level, I guess I just need to toughen up.
You used to race BMX, is that something you would get back into as a result of its recently attained Olympic status?
D: I have been riding a lot of BMX, but my legs are still too damn skinny. Like I said, I just need to toughen up!
Rachel:
The car accident (sorry for drudging this up again) put this season in a bit of limbo for you, is the plan to come back hard at the start of next year or will it be a slow immersion back into the circuit?
R: I don’t know much about the afterlife, but I’d sure as anything rather go straight to hell than limbo again! Nah, this year was tough as old boots but I really did learn so much, and I had some tip top fun! For which I am grateful, and the learned stuff will benefit me this year, I hope, when I go in all guns blazing, all arms windmilling and a devil on each shoulder!
The Atherton Project Part 11:
Glad to hear it! Sportswoman of the year award, obviously pretty prestigious (congrats!). Do you feel that has brought extra attention to mountain biking for women in the UK?
R: I would rather hope so! For that particular award I was up against all the mainstream sports (footy etc) and an Olympic medalist in swimming, so for MTB to shine above them was incredible. Everyone was so interested and could relate to biking in some way, so I think it says a lot for our sport.
Racing seems to keep you pretty busy all the time, but is freeriding a portion of the sport that interests you? After shooting in Utah for Freeride, is filming going to become a bigger part of your career in the future?
R: Well, I hate giving things labels! When we were in Utah, having the time of our lives, it was like I was little again, just messing about in the woods building stuff and being dared by the boys to do this or that; racing is just another day of larking about in the summer holidays! ANYWAY... I am aware that people need to label things, so for me, filming and stuff like that, it’s all important, apart from anything it helps push my riding. I really love freeriding so as long as people are willing to point the camera and speed it up a bit I’ll ride!
Gee:
Outside of Dan and Rachel, who would you say is the biggest inspiration for you within downhill racing?
G: Peaty. I grew up watching him since I first started riding mountain bikes!
After winning the World Champs in 2008, were you a bit nervous to be in the same position start wise this year? Would Peaty have killed you if you repeated?
G: No, I wasn't nervous. It was a good position to be in and one I hope to be in again soon. As for Peaty being pissed if I had done it again, I’m sure he would have loved it.....
You filmed with Anthill this winter in New Zealand, can you tell us a bit about that project?
G: I’ve just gotten back from New Zealand from filming with the Anthill boys, it was an awesome trip and the footage is going to be incredible! I was out there riding with Stevie Smith who is an absolute pinner, so we pushed each other a lot. From what I have seen that movie will be all time!
The Atherton Project Part 12 (Two parts):
First things last, would you all like to give a shout out or thanks to anyone?
R: Thanks to Dan Brown for putting up with all my shirts, he is the absolute business and my respect is all his. Thanks to every single sponsor for sticking by me this year, it means more than you know, and likewise to everyone who has sent me well wishes and words of wisdom, it means a lot!
G: Clay Porter, that guy works hard. We give him a lot of hits over the year, so I'd just like to tell him that 2010 is going to be way worse so he better toughen up and stop being soft!
D: All of our sponsors and Dan Brown!
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| Photo by Sven Martin |
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Launched towards the end of 2009 to the Athertons Extended family the online shop is now open to all. Selling exclusive t-shirts and merchandise alongside the Pro Atherton Star Series the shop has been busy shipping product worldwide. With the product line set to grow substantially as we enter the start of the new season
shop.athertonracing.co.uk is definitely worth a look.
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Are you a fan of the Atherton Racing Facebook page? Well you should be, exclusive images, videos and behind the scene news are all put here first! Check out Rach's pictures from there current training camp in California or exclusive pictures from Commencal's photographer Hadrien Picard all on
www.facebook.com.
