Video: Gee Atherton's Introduction to Lousa DH World Cup

Oct 28, 2020
by Sarah Moore  


bigquotesThe 2020 UCI MTB Downhill World Cup will conclude on the lush, green slopes above the picturesque town of Lousa. This Portuguese venue will host the World's elite DH riders for the first time and the setting for the final two races of the season could not be better.

The 2,5km long track includes everything needed for a world class downhill spectacle - from fast open sections, tight berms & loose loam to insanely steep sections full of roots, flat out pedalling sections and jump lines.

Catch all the action from Lousa Live on Red Bull TV: https://win.gs/UCILousa2020—Red Bull


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Racing and Events Videos World Cup DH Red Bull Gee Atherton Lousa World Cup Dh 2020


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100 Comments
  • 183 1
 "All the media guys stood around doing nothing, as always." Tell us how you really feel Gee!
  • 12 0
 Soo good haha
  • 7 73
flag CM999 (Oct 28, 2020 at 16:27) (Below Threshold)
 He is part of the media now. He’s not there to trouble them to 20 let alone the podium
  • 145 0
 @CM999: Not like he needs to though! when's he won worlds multiple times, has a stack of world cup wins and has more podiums than most of the current top 20 would dream of having.
  • 49 0
 @NicolasVouilloz: not to speak of Rampage and winning Hardline...
  • 37 0
 @NicolasVouilloz: High praise from the legend himself! Not that Gee needs it though, as you say he has proved himself.
Also one of the toughest guys ever to race, think of the gnarly crashes he has recovered from over the years.
  • 16 1
 Who knew Gee was such a comedian! Love it! Miss Claudio's noises though.... OW WEEE YAHOO!
  • 15 0
 I'm loving these zingers Gee has been slipping into his course previews.
  • 18 0
 Love the other comment at the end ‘not sure what this is’ ooo as he sends a massive gap, Clearly riding the whole thing blond lol
  • 67 0
 Imagine talking shit on a mountain biking website and Nico Vouilloz just pops up and slams you down
  • 4 0
 Always liked Gee, even when everyone else hated on him years ago for being "Spock". One of the best all-around riders out there, speed and style.
  • 1 0
 @jaytdubs: they're so unexpected because he's so professional
  • 121 1
 Thanks Gee! You are Perfect for the job! When the time comes... I hope to see him in the commentator box!
  • 44 0
 Same! But in 10 years when he finishes racing
  • 9 0
 Agreed 100%
  • 6 0
 Go Gee!
  • 8 0
 Gees previews have been getting better and better, best yet
  • 91 0
 Every one of Gee’s previews I am amazed at his capacity to talk all the way down... what a beat.
  • 12 0
 Is it just me or does he sound just like Gordon Ramsey cooking but with out the F-ing ?
  • 5 0
 @CrankeeetUp: Bear Grylls
  • 1 0
 Riding faster for a whole run than I'll ever manage for 30 seconds while casually chatting! Legend!
  • 82 0
 "Not sure what this is" Oh it's just a 20' drop to nearly flat but I'll stick like I always do. No biggie mate.
  • 8 0
 That bit’s got to be the best part of the video. Just mind blowing how relaxed he is clearing that..
  • 5 0
 Imagine having the balls to hit that blind 0_0
  • 5 10
flag CM999 (Oct 28, 2020 at 16:26) (Below Threshold)
 @graham2017: he isn’t hitting it blind he has already done track walk at the very least plus dozens of laps in testing
  • 6 1
 @CM999: then why does he say "not sure what this is"?
  • 1 0
 @cmitchell: oxygen starvation? Hit the top of the drop a bit further left, enjoy being off course above the tape briefly, test your ankles in a hard sketchy landing, and get lots of social media engagement from your hospital bed.
  • 2 0
 @cmitchell: also he's not sure what it is because the ramp is a chickenline which is useless at speed, gives a misleading idea of course direction, and could have been removed for a race at this level....
  • 2 0
 @ceecee: you aren’t legit from st. Kitts are you? I lived there and don’t remember much of an MTB culture! If it’s growing there then we know our sport has really made it!
  • 1 0
 @cmitchell: he means he doesn’t know what to call this weird-ass drop to flat feature!

“...little hip up the bank and then...not sure what this is...”
  • 2 0
 @GnarAZ: I believe he's not far from you. WAKI used to have a flag of Antarctica, but he ain't no penguin.
  • 2 0
 @ceecee: chicken lines HAVE to be there in case someone comes with a flat, injured, or just with not speed enough to clear the main line for whatever reason
  • 1 0
 @GnarAZ: I take the Fifth. Where current location is as confused with nationality as props with votes, it seems justifiable. Also I'm not bright enough to select flaglessness, and it's a nice shade of red. Did you have a view of two oceans when you were there? Mazal tov!
  • 44 0
 "Lots of line choices"

Waiting for Cathrovision intensifies.
  • 2 22
flag betsie (Oct 28, 2020 at 16:14) (Below Threshold)
 Need a race without it. Dont want to be telling people which line is the fastest when there is a choice, kinda removes the choice part! After the race... yes please.
  • 8 0
 @betsie: you do realize the big teams like specialized and Commencal have timers along the track that tells them what lines are the fastest for their specific riders. I'm sure very few riders actually watch cathro before the race, if anything its just the small guys who I don't mind if he helps out
  • 2 7
flag betsie (Oct 28, 2020 at 23:10) (Below Threshold)
 @grundletroll: I am sure riders watch ghost camps before the race or ask Ben in person.

Teams have timers, yes, not everywhere on a new track though and the massive difference is their data isnt shared to everyone.

Negative prop all you like, but as a racer and someone who used to tape tracks, putting in line choice that remains a choice is where the sport should be, if not go back to old school tight taped single line tracks.
  • 2 0
 not just the ‘small’ guys, I was stood next to cathro in the woods at fort bill and brendog pulled up and said “...errr, what’s the go Ben?..”
  • 6 0
 @betsie: It's not like his timing was in any way scientific. It's mostly for popularity because line analysis and comparison is interesting. 10 different riders will ride the same line with 10 different times too. Also their pace won't be the same. Someone goes faster in the practice and someone slower.
  • 40 0
 Gee killing it on the course preview, so composed and calm. Almost like he is standing around!!!! (future media guy??)
His course previews are the best!!!
  • 10 1
 Nah, those media guys just stand around and do nothing. :-)
  • 23 0
 "by this point your breathing is thru the roof" he says while casually commentating the entire run
  • 19 2
 Fontana locals are like "that's not a wall!"
  • 1 0
 Bingo. Fontana>all wc tracks combined
  • 1 0
 What is this? The Californians? You take the 101 to the 405...
  • 12 1
 Just here to say again, Gee's track previews are absolutely amazing. I hope Red Bull or someone continues to send him for these after he's done racing!
  • 1 0
 Agreed Just watched this after seeing Cathro's Between the Tape, and watching Warner's walk. Love it all but this one rules it!
  • 11 0
 I was more out of breath watching that than he was riding it.
  • 10 0
 Is it me or Gee sound more and more like Bear Grylls?
  • 1 0
 Ahahah
  • 5 0
 Way tougher though lol
  • 10 0
 Track looks sick! But that sprint made me tired just watching
  • 6 0
 I can not say enough how amazing I think Gee is at doing these....blows my freakin' mind! How anyone can ride the courses like he does while also giving the amazing color commentary he gives is simply beyond me. Red Bull, great job doing whatever you did to get Gee in this position!
  • 5 0
 Gee is utterly gob smacking at this commentary/preview but let's not start talking too early of him stopping racing! I'd love to see him at EWS and I'm not one of those who sees that as a sort of retirement for downhillers. Besides that, he's still competitive anyway.
  • 3 0
 What are the rules on gapping corners? Having seen these guys do it on instagram at places like morzine theres a corner at the top that looks like they could gap to straight line. It would mean flying over a taped off section. If wheels don't touch the ground inside the tape is it allowable?
  • 1 0
 I thought the same thing!.. first, you've got to have the balls to do it, but.. if you fly through the tape, I think you're right to go...
  • 1 0
 I’m not sure if the exact rules but I don’t think it’s allowed. I remember it coming up in the comments here a few years ago and I think someone came up with the rule showing it would be legal.
  • 3 0
 Something kept feeling weird then I realized it was the tree leaves on the ground. My brain thinks of leaves on the ground as after downhill race season riding. If only I had lungs like Gee, talking the whole way down, I'd be gasping for air!
  • 4 0
 That is an awesome track, looks like potential for a few spills especially if it carrys on getting looser
  • 26 0
 *lousa
  • 5 3
 Anyone else surprised by how many inside lines he took? I feel like cathrovision has really taught me how important exit speed is, and that the slower yet shorter inside line is rarely the winning choice.
  • 6 0
 Sam Hill disagrees
  • 5 0
 Rad to see a course preview at race pace with comments nice gee!
  • 4 0
 This is awsome!! Totally different IMO.
  • 4 0
 Gee is such a legend, best course previews in the game!
  • 2 0
 Totally amazing...such a professional job...great job Geeman and huge props to redbull for hooking him up doing this
  • 2 0
 Damn! Really gives a vivid picture of the talent and athleticism needed to ride at this level.
  • 2 0
 You know what's coming and it still blows your mind...top shelf Mr.Atherton!
  • 2 0
 " the turns are already get loose...." well I guess that's why its called loosa :-)
  • 2 0
 Brilliant course preview Gee,keep up the great work.
  • 2 0
 Looks super fast, but it will cut up and blow out soon enough.
  • 2 0
 At 51 secs, gap it. Over the berm
  • 2 0
 So good. Gee needs to do that forever! Love.
  • 3 0
 Nice ride gee
  • 2 0
 He sounds like the Gordon Ramsay of mountain biking
  • 3 0
 Great preview Gee
  • 1 0
 That road gap straight into a corner though. bet that's gnarly as f*ck in person
  • 1 0
 @markcorrigan Was there in 2017 and I can confirm that the road gap into the corner is gnarly as f*ck! Even crazier when it’s dry and loose
  • 2 0
 Really like Gees course introductions. Keep em coming in the future too.
  • 2 0
 When Gee says its a handful.....good job Gee, great preview
  • 1 0
 Such a sick looking course! These Gee course previews are really awesome, he's so gassed but still talking!
  • 2 0
 Looks fun!
  • 2 0
 Top Banana!
  • 1 0
 Yaaaaaaaaah. Loooks soo sick.
  • 2 0
 Great job Gee
  • 1 0
 His best preview to date!
  • 2 0
 Gee is a beast. Period.
  • 2 0
 Legend
  • 1 0
 Love these videos from Gee. Where were these on the last 3 races??
  • 1 0
 He did one for the Maribor a few weeks ago. Not sure why he didn't do one for World Champs. Maybe since he wasn't racing? But I didn't see that anyone did an "official" one on Redbull so maybe because the track was such a mess they didn't have someone go out?
  • 1 0
 Wild
  • 3 6
 No chunk?
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