Trek Factory Racing Announces MTB Roster for 2017

Jan 13, 2017
by Trek Bikes  
Rachel Atherton
  Rachel Atherton


Trek Factory Racing announced new rosters today for its downhill, cross-country, and enduro mountain bike teams, redoubling its efforts to win at the elite level in all disciplines. With returning athletes as well as new and emerging talent, Trek Factory Racing’s new teams signal a strong investment in the present and future of its marquee mountain bike programs.

On the heels of an extraordinary season, TFR Downhill and Rachel Atherton hope to accomplish even more in 2017. Rachel, Gee, and Dan Atherton (GBR) return with a focus on World Cup DH. The first family of downhill will also participate in heart-stopping Red Bull events, world-class track-building, and the production of new mountain bike films. Stay tuned for more roster info from the squad in the coming weeks. Going into 2017, TFR Downhill will follow Rachel’s historic perfect season and World Championship win aboard Trek Session.

Dan Atherton
Dan Atherton
Gee Atherton
Gee Atherton

World Cup luminary Emily Batty (CAN) will lead the 2017 cross-country squad. Coming off her best season yet, Emily looks to improve on a 2016 that saw a 4th place finish at the Rio Olympics, and a podium at the World Championships. She will be joined by strongman Sergio Mantecon (ESP), as well as 2012 Junior and 2015 U-23 World Champion Anton Cooper (NZL). Sergio returns to TFR after a 2016 plagued by injury, while Anton returns to the Trek family looking to expand on his junior season wins aboard Trek, and ready to make a statement with World Cup results.

Emily Batty
  Emily Batty

Sergio M
  Sergio Mantecon

"Things have come full circle since I became the Junior World Champion in 2012 whilst piloting a Trek,” said Anton, “and I'm really looking forward to being back on board with the brand in 2017. Trek gave me my first opportunity as a professional rider at just 17, and it feels just as exciting for me to link up with the brand as it did back then.”

Anton Cooper
  Anton Cooper

TFR Enduro returns with the ever-competitive talents of Katy Winton (SCO) and Casey Brown (CAN). Both will look to expand on their momentum of 2016, when Katy saw numerous top-10s and Casey found herself on the podium at several Enduro World Series races. Katy and Casey will race in EWS events alongside up-and-coming talent Lewis Buchanan (SCO). Lewis is coming off an injury-laden season, but has exactly the attitude and potential the program seeks to foster:

Katy Winton
Katy Winton
Casey Brown
Casey Brown

"Signing with Trek Factory Racing is a great opportunity that I could not pass up. To be part of the team is a dream, and to be on such awesome equipment is a major confidence booster. I look forward to the season ahead and getting racing underway in new colors."

Lewis B
  Lewis Buchanan

Trek Factory Racing is a professional cycling team that competes globally at the highest level. Woven around unique, rich personalities, the team is open, engaging, and welcomes all to experience the grit and glory of professional cycling.


MENTIONS: @trek



Author Info:
trek avatar

Member since Jan 16, 2002
100 articles

107 Comments
  • 129 1
 Dan back in WC?!
  • 20 0
 just my thought...
  • 21 2
 @sebazzo: If he is Redbull need to throw him a sponsor so he can get his Lid
  • 24 39
flag thenotoriousmic (Jan 13, 2017 at 5:28) (Below Threshold)
 Doesn't race anymore does he? Probably just signed him to get Rachel on the team, unless the exposure from hardline warrants the contract? Who knows... one hell of a rider though maybe he'll start doing edits.
  • 31 0
 Definitely did NOT expect to see Dan's name when I clicked this!
  • 38 1
 Been a long time coming. Fucking pumped that he's back in DH. Dude still rips like a beast.
  • 21 111
flag Remmn (Jan 13, 2017 at 5:42) (Below Threshold)
 They get all the athertons or none. Dan should not have a factory sponsor at all
  • 15 3
 @Remmn: Oh really? Why?
  • 18 16
 @Jokesterwild: because he's not doing anything except one event that I know off? So why is he on a factory World Cup race team?
  • 52 6
 @thenotoriousmic: @Remmn ... They signed him because that's the way Athertons work. Plus he's an incredible rider who is very capable of creating video content, which on pinkbike is arguably the best form of advertisement, for trek. Also look at the man. He's a goddamn badass just look at the look on his face in his photo, the man is a legend in the mountain bike world and he knows it.
  • 51 2
 When Slugger got the boot from GT, Dan said it would be worth finishing last in every race again, just so he could hang with Marc. So I doubt he's going to be racing. Maybe Fort William. My guess is his role will be the same as this year. Being an all round awesome dude and publicity machine for the dirty side of the sport. Digging and putting on events are pretty good vehicles for video publicity. The ten percent of outright speed he lacks in DH, he more than makes up for in other ways. Publicity, brand exposure and promotion are jot just about race results. Hats off to anyone who manages to get paid in MTB and doesn't have to produce race results actually. A shrewd move if you ask me.
  • 21 0
 @rcrdrvr: And let's not forget that Dan helped GT to develop the Sanction, the same bike Martin maes rode to victory on the last EWS race so, clearly the guy has talents.
  • 7 25
flag thenotoriousmic (Jan 13, 2017 at 7:33) (Below Threshold)
 @ryanandrewrogers: that's what I already said and got downvoted for if. There's no other reason for a guy who doesn't race to be on a World Cup race team unless it was to get Rachel on the team otherwise he'd have a similar kind of deal as the other trek riders who don't race or compete.
  • 2 1
 I dont think he will have any UCI points to race world cups, dont think he raced at all last year - aside from hardline.
  • 8 5
 @Remmn: says the guy who did not build the hard line course!
  • 14 21
flag thenotoriousmic (Jan 13, 2017 at 8:02) (Below Threshold)
 See downvoted again. I clearly said that he's an amazing rider it's not that I'm hating it's just like ken block getting put in an f1 team doesn't make sense.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Unless they're going to kick start the atherton project again! (wishful thinking but god I miss that show) If all three are on the team I guess it'll look better to use it as promo. Not strictly necessary though.
  • 10 0
 You lot make me laugh!lol
If any of you doubt Dan's ability as a racer, watch this...
youtu.be/StPeEgz5Cfo
It was taken just before his nasty crash at hardline which put him out until mid 2016, and it's pointless trying to join a race series half way through so he didn't race much last year.
This year he should be fully fit again to start the season at the first race.
I find it funny that when someone has a year out people just assume they don't race anymore
  • 3 2
 @oldmanDan: I don't doubt his ability as a racer but he broke his kneck and retired a long time ago. So that's why people are confused about why he would be a featured rider on a World Cup race team.
  • 6 0
 @thenotoriousmic:

The thing is, when people are still relatively young they tend to throw the word 'retired' around without actually meaning it...
Lots of 'retired' racers grace the start Hut after seemingly disappearing off the face of the planet!
It usually has a lot to do with the mental and physical strain world Cup racing puts on them.
Injury can be a major setback, but given the right treatment and enough time, 'retired' racers can return and do very well as long as the mental edge is still there.
Look at Cedric Gracia for instance..
He 'retired' years ago but still races.......
  • 3 0
 THAT'S AWESOME!
  • 2 0
 That's so cool... Welcome back, Dan! Sounds like Atherton Project might get another Season, after all.
  • 5 1
 Yeah, Dan back at the WC DH! Why doubt? It says they'll have a focus on WC DH so I have no reason to assume that is not what he'll be doing. Yes I'm surprised too, especially as riders like Sam Hill, Josh Bryceland and Harry Heath recently quit these series because they thought they weren't as much fun and technically challenging as they should be. And Dan always came across as a passionate rider first and foremost, always after the technical challenge. Well maybe that's the trick. He'll arrive at Leogang, walk up to the highest boss up there and tell them the race can't be down that fireroad. Riders will dig out a rough track in the woods and they'll race that. So that's what will happen. Because you can't disobey a guy with a face like that.

Just stay healthy Dan, then results will come. That goes for your siblings so chances are it goes for you as well.
  • 1 0
 @sebazzo: more TREK on circuit and Dan gonna fill atmosphere.
  • 2 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: word! Dan is a bad mofo!
  • 1 0
 @jaame: well put.
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: I think we've all been hoping this would be attainable after that nasty bit o luck. Massive bike handling skills brah.
  • 1 0
 @ryanandrewrogers: VERY well put! 'He knows it'!
  • 3 0
 @vinay: I was thinking it before I read it...hope you're right. Master track builder with a huge fan base. He could pull it off, esp if Peaty got behind it and maybe Warner mentioning it a time or two as well. So glad he's back on the big bike. It scares me how fast he ride's his trail bike.
  • 1 0
 @bbh13: He wont need the UCI Points as he is on a UCI Elite Team.
  • 1 0
 @teamkr: how come Peaty needed to race in Portugal etc to get enough points to race last season then? Is SCS not uci elite team?
  • 3 0
 That is an interesting point. Certainly in one of the past two seasons they were not considered to be a UCI elite team. Something about them not having a team uniform. I believe they each had their own clothing sponsors.
  • 2 0
 @jaame: Correct - Peaty on Royal, Rat on Fox and Greg on Oneal. Regardless of anyone's opinion of the UCI if you want them to approve your team you've got to follow their rules.
  • 1 0
 @teamkr: Yeah, but it is a bit silly to introduce that rule in the first place. Until then they got on fine with different clothing sponsors (Minnaar on Alpinestars back in the days, Rennie on TLD). A team has to invest the time to design these kits only for the UCI to say "nah, not close enough" by the time these designs already went in production. What is the rule for in the first place? They're not riding in a peloton like they do in road cycling. If you're a national champion, you've got a different sleeve. If you're leader or world champion, you're wearing a different jersey altogether. And some personal sponsor can also change the looks considerably, especially your helmet if you happen to be sponsored by Red Bull. At the end of the day everyone was lucky Peaty eventually got in, but it still was a horrible display of bureaucracy.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: I agree with you. It smells of roadies, that rule. In a race against the clock it is not really a team sport, at least not on race day.

I believe they have since changed the rule though, is that correct?
  • 1 0
 "In 2016 the man known by his siblings as the “Machine” will focus on some major moving image projects, and take part in the mass-start MaxiAvalanche, as well as racing EWS at La Thuile and Whistler. Never one to take it easy Dan will continue to mentor the Atherton Academy, coach local school-kids and work to help to develop the MTB community in Wales."

trekfactoryracingdh.com/about-us/dan
  • 2 0
 @spoonyman: So that was about 2016. It seems like they haven't updated his profile for 2017 yet. I don't expect him to drop all that he has been doing last year but no doubt he can engage in a but of WC DH racing. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what his exact plans are.
  • 2 1
 @vinay: Completely missed the year when I read that Blank Stare
  • 2 0
 @spoonyman: No worries, it is only January. It usually takes a few months for me as well to fully realize what year it is exactly. By May 2016 manufacturers release their 2017 gear to the public and in January 2017 you can still read what Dan's plans are for 2016. We still find videos on PB of summer and fall riding (not to mention videos from the Southern hemisphere). Time and space are warped. It may actually be good to have your mind warped as well to accommodate for that.
  • 55 0
 Looks like a nice photo... session.
  • 4 3
 We just madone this the other day...
  • 4 1
 Prices on all photos have been slashed to remedy the slow start to 2017. . . Sorry. I'll see myself out
  • 1 1
 Those are some procaliber pictures
  • 37 2
 Now Gee has also a brother to train, Dan will make Gee fast again.
  • 14 0
 It's worth mentioning that Gee raced 90% of the past season with a seriously injured shoulder...
  • 2 11
flag sdmgz (Jan 13, 2017 at 13:22) (Below Threshold)
 So Gee's inconsistent and mediocre results the past few years are his sisters fault? Not his own? Interesting.
  • 1 3
 perhaps you 2 should talk to his sister and claudio caluori
  • 2 0
 @sdmgz: Mediocre? Winning a world championship is considered quite decent.
  • 29 2
 What about René Wildhaber?
  • 13 1
 Super excited to see what Lewis can do this year after an incredible first EWS performance in the first few rounds last year before unfortunately getting injured! Good to see him back and on a major company's factory supported team, all the best mate, smash it!!
  • 4 0
 More people should be talking about this. So stoked for him
  • 1 0
 @treymotleyDH: re-relese the article with his pic on the thumbnail...I almost forgot where I read the news looking at the home page.
  • 16 2
 Great lineup, and awesome to see a very female-focused team makeup.
  • 22 4
 Trek is making riders wear team issue makeup?
  • 8 2
 @bikewriter: why not?, got to be on fleek when you're on the podium.
  • 13 1
 What about the ones that leave? A bit not-cool not to mention them. Kohei Yamamoto is going to BH SR Suntour and i guess McConnell & Bec Henderson are out too...
  • 1 0
 It's a note to mention the roster for 17, not a farewell article. They already did a farewell for vernon, maybe there's one for Henderson et al out there as well?
  • 1 1
 Fairly sure the McConnell's are staying. Probably a reason for Anton to move back to trek too. Him and Dan ride together a fair bit.
  • 2 0
 @mrjesen: Neither Dan or Bec are riding for Trek this year.
www.instagram.com/p/BNIblASAUgH
www.instagram.com/p/BM8t9SjA5JE

Both are still riding their Trek's but neither are wearing sponsor jersey's.
www.instagram.com/p/BO_IKbGgOWl
  • 3 0
 @mrjesen: Bec and Dan's "contracts to the Trek Factory Race Team were not renewed."

Source (the website of their annual race): duoclassic.com/updates/duo-classic-postponed
  • 11 1
 A bit vague that., I doubt Dan is WCing
  • 7 1
 Seems pretty clear:

"On the heels of an extraordinary season, TFR Downhill and Rachel Atherton hope to accomplish even more in 2017. Rachel, Gee, and Dan Atherton (GBR) return with a focus on World Cup DH"
  • 14 0
 @hetfield1: Fingers crossed. Between that statement and the pic of him in full TFR kit with DH bike, seems likely. I'd be stoked to see him back racing for sure.
  • 2 0
 @atxgravity052: it sure reads like he's going to be racing again. Because it mentions all three focusing on WC DH. They follows by saying they will all be also going Redbull events, filming, etc. Where the press releases last year when they joined trek said Dan would be building, doing events, and some select enduro events.
  • 1 0
 "In 2016 the man known by his siblings as the “Machine” will focus on some major moving image projects, and take part in the mass-start MaxiAvalanche, as well as racing EWS at La Thuile and Whistler. Never one to take it easy Dan will continue to mentor the Atherton Academy, coach local school-kids and work to help to develop the MTB community in Wales."

trekfactoryracingdh.com/about-us/dan
  • 1 0
 @spoonyman: Yea that's last year. Thats what I was talking about in my comment where it mentioned nothing about WC DH racing.
  • 1 0
 @sino428: Completely missed the year when I read that Blank Stare (ignore me)
  • 9 1
 mint to see Lewis on the team. No Taylor Vernon. be ace to see Rach try a few EWS events.....
  • 10 3
 Send Emily Batty for one of EWS comps pleaaaase... that's a team with a hell if a strength in women's field. Love it!
  • 4 0
 Dan didnt retire altogether he just switched disciplines to enduro. Why shouldnt he get a factory sponsorship? He trains just as hard as the other 2 hes just had bad luck with injuries and lets face it he puts in a hell of a lot of time building too...This all just sounds like jealousy to me everyone throwing out grief!
  • 6 0
 Super cool to see how many women Trek is supporting. Way to go @trekbikes!
  • 4 0
 hell yeah for Dan! Not sure how it works though, isn't there a few British downhill series races he needs to compete in prior to WC entrance?
  • 11 0
 Don't need UCI points if you are a UCI elite team.
  • 1 0
 @WhatAboutBob: gotcha, thanks
  • 7 3
 Not sure why everyone is so surprised to see Dan on the team? He was on the team last year as well.
  • 4 0
 not in DHWC
  • 5 1
 we're surprised about him riding DH again
  • 3 0
 I'm actually trying to find my hreath right now...dan back on the WC would literally make me lose it! Please say it's true...
  • 9 4
 Looks like a Kona Operator.
  • 1 0
 I think Dan is done with racing ?
After he almost broke his neck I thought he gave it up ?

I'm sure he's gonna be more of a brand ambassador/
Video edit guy

Don't have to race to be sponsored
  • 3 0
 Now all we need is the Atherton Project for comeback
  • 3 0
 Casey Brown! Dose this mean she will attend all WC races? Yeah!
  • 4 0
 nope racing EWS
  • 1 0
 THE PROJECT ! The Atherton's Family is something extraordinary just when you think of! Good luck guys ! Btw : Dan is a great guy and a great racer Wink
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: i think its because he used to race world cup's man... remember back around 2012 the Atherton Project was awesome
  • 3 0
 Way to go Anton. have a good one
  • 1 0
 Ooh shit, my fault. I was still thinking Maes and the aterthons were together. Should start studying less
  • 2 0
 Maes bk with athertons be a huge signing
  • 4 2
 Dan looks so sexy in that photo - like pornstar sexy
  • 2 0
 Lew Buchanan!!! Yeah buddy!! So stoked for this guy!
  • 3 0
 Go Casey!
  • 1 0
 Is Lewis Buchanan related to Caroline Buchanan?
  • 1 0
 Naaaah
  • 1 0
 What happened to Taylor Vernon?
  • 1 0
 But...what about Charlie Harrison? I thought for sure...
  • 2 0
 Nice guys
  • 1 1
 it's all about rach. she's so boss, she's the boss.
  • 1 0
 cant wait to see dan
  • 1 0
 JHK?
  • 2 3
 Lets see a 29r session.
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