Rachel Atherton to Sponsor Junior Women at BDS

Reigning World Champion and World Cup Overall winner, Rachel Atherton has announced her continuing sponsorship of the Junior Women’s Categories at the British Downhill Series.

Rachel, Sumayyah, Maya and Rona.

Once again the sponsorship will be very practical, with riders offered the chance to trade their winners’ cheques for prizes from Rachel’s sponsors, often equivalent to twice or three times the value of the cheque.

I love it that we have been able to give girls GoPros, brake sets and pedals from Shimano, helmets from Bell, knee pads from IXS, goggles from Oakley, everyone has been so awesome in supporting this idea! This year I'm excited that we'll have the chance to work with Trek and Bontrager for the first time, I remember when I started racing how hard it was sometimes to get together the things that I needed, I'm sure that Gee used to race in rollerblade pads! I see so many girls hampered in their racing performance by not having the correct kit or set-up but over the last year I think we've made a real difference. - Rachel Atherton

Rachel’s World Cup mechanic, Joe will be on hand again to advise about set-ups and new for this year Rachel will offer an accompanied 'First ride' of the track.

I never forget the advantage that having two big brothers who raced gave me, now I want to repay that favour. If I can make it easier for one girl to sign up for a race it will be awesome. I love it that I've got to know such a great group of girls and young women this year, watching them develop and to begin to fulfill their potential is massively rewarding, quite apart from the fact that some of my favourite weekends are spent in the relaxed atmosphere of a BDS! - Rachel Atherton

Rachel’s World Cup commitments mean that she won’t race every round of the series but she stresses that her support for “her girls” is unwavering.

I'll be there where I can, the relationship I have with many of these girls now transcends race day, I'll be watching them like a hawk! The level of skill and commitment these girls are showing has definitely increased over the last year and that has to be good for the sport as a whole, I'm so excited as we go into year two. - Rachel Atherton

Having Rach sponsor the category last year has helped me improve massively, it goes far beyond what you'd expect from a race sponsorship, it feels like not only Rachel but the whole Athy Racing team have our backs. It's not only at the BDS, her encouragement and advice helped me to podium at my first World Cup in Fort William, the Junior Women are all so stoked to hear that Rach will be there for us through 2016. - Rona Strivens, Overall Winner of the Junior Women's Series in 2015

Rona

Rachel's vision and commitment to these young racers certainly paid dividends in 2015 and we are delighted that this initiative will continue into 2016. Entries are up again and we welcome all female athletes, I hope that the British Downhill Series and Rachel's unique input will be a stepping stone for more British women to seize World Cup success. - Si Paton, Director of the British Downhill Series

Photos: Yasmeen Green and Laurence Crossman-Emms

MENTIONS: @trek / @BellBikeHelmets / @iXSsports / @GoPro / @TheHillsAreAlive / @Laurence-CE

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6 Comments

22 0

samfr1000 (Mar 9, 2016 at 5:40)

I know a lot of people give the Athertons stick, for being super serious and all that, but it's stuff like this that proves they are just as awesome as anyone else on the scene. Cracking job from Rachel and her sponsors here. Anything that has the potential to allow more people - male or female - to have an opportunity to ride a bike, will have nothing but my support.

McArdle FL (Mar 9, 2016 at 5:53)

Yup fair play, ive been watching reruns of the atherton series on redbull tv lately and they have a sweet setup, they are super commited to the racing etc but seem to have blast too.. Rach's new session is unreal, best colourway ive seen!!

mattvanders (Mar 10, 2016 at 2:57)

I'd like to think while mtbing is a male orientated sport it's very open to getting females into it. The biggest income for women into is tends to be through their other half getting them involved and not them discovering off there own back. Yes manufactures could make more women style bikes but with a few component swops they are fit for a women's body.

Kimbers FL (Mar 9, 2016 at 7:42)

really great to see this!

Samarius (Mar 9, 2016 at 10:19)

*fist bump. That is all

knobblytyres (Mar 9, 2016 at 12:52)

Respect Rachel!