Gee Atherton to Return to Racing at Red Bull Hardline
Photo: Dan Griffiths
Just over a year after a horrific crash that left him lucky to be alive, Gee Atherton is set to return to racing this weekend at Red Bull Hardline 2022.
June 18, 2021, Gee fell over 100 feet while filming 'The Knife Edge' edit and sustained a long list of physical and mental injuries including many broken bones, concussion, night terrors, and PTSD.
That he's back on the bike is remarkable in itself, and the prospect of the winner of nine World Cups racing again is especially exciting. Re-entering racing on the gnarliest course in the sport is a few steps beyond extraordinary.
This year, the Hardline course has been made even tougher than ever, with a new on-off feature, a massive 86-foot blind gap jump, and more.
 | Obviously after a massive crash you never think you’re going to race again, or even ride again, but as I started to recover a bit Red Bull Hardline began to look quite appealing. While I was injured I spent a lot of my time thinking about Red Bull Hardline and the goal of being able to ride again at that level was a massive driver. Through all those long hours in the gym it was a massive motivation for me. Now I’ve had time to rehab, choosing the hardest race in the world to come back to maybe isn’t the best idea, but I’ve been training hard and I feel like I’m riding well - I’m not going to jump on the bike and aim for a podium, the goal is to ride Red Bull Hardline and to have fun doing it! |
We look forward to seeing what Gee can achieve as he works through the mental barriers from his crash and enters another defining chapter of his 22-year professional racing career.
Photo: Dan Griffiths
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I don't know Gee, but I doubt he'd be doing this if his livelihood didn't depend on it. His risk vs reward math is very different than ours.
Did the mountain survive Gee falling on it?
It is that steep chunky stuff where it gets scary, especially when speeds start to drop.
On Monday, I walked it and could at least visualize riding it. If you go long the landing is very flat but I don't think I have ever gone long on anything. The landing is dirt and stacked rocks/concrete but the take off is down sloping moss covered shale. So it is not a take off that you can gauge your speed and stop at the lip. I think if you emergency brake you are going off the end in the worst shape possible.
If anyone is ever in Cleveland and wants to show me how it is done, I'll take you there and will graciously accept your free lesson. First round of post ride drinks is on me.
When I got broken off (4 vertebrae, 2 ribs, scapula, clavicle, punctured lung, and concussion) I was physically ready to ride well before I was mentally ready. I hope Gee is genuinely in the right place for this.
Bruni world champ same season he has a broken collarbone.
Cam bal podium 2 weeks after surgery
Daprela winning with a cut tongue
Etc...
These humans (are they?) Are built different (Ben cathro(c)) but seem to alwaus come back stronger after injuries!
Good luck Gee, you're already the people's champ!
Dan: " oh bollocks, now I'm going to have to make the jumps bigger"
Gee Atherton breathes air ... five times a day.
Gee Atherton recently had the idea to sell his pee as a canned beverage. It’s now called Red Bull
Gee, its not the best idea.
"but I’ve been training hard and I feel like I’m riding well"
Screw loose. But we already knew that! At least Hardline is much easier than The Knifes Edge
It’s hell of a race to make a competitive return and full respect to him but let’s keep some perspective.
The 1st comment is from Amaury Pierron