Bike
MTB
The Athertons are going racing on their own with the Atherton Bikes brand
Gee and Rachel Atherton break cover to announce what they'll be riding in 2019. Here's what we know about developments at Atherton Racing.
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With the news that the Atherton Racing was parting ways with Trek Bikes, the mountain bike world has been caught up in a whirlwind of speculation over who the successful family team would ride with for 2019 and beyond.
Finally Gee and Rachel Atherton have announced Atherton Racing will be racing for their own brand new bike brand, Atherton Bikes.
Rachel Atherton looks very happy about Atherton Bikes
© Moonhead Media
Here's what we know so far
The siblings, along with older brother Dan Atherton, have partnered up with UK-based suspension designer Dave Weagle to create an "ultimate range of bikes" that will combine ground-breaking additive manufacturing technologies with carbon fibre tubing. Dragons' Den entrepreneur Piers Linney will join as a co-founder of the newly formed company, with the introductory Atherton Bikes range scheduled for sale this year.
Both Rachel and Gee will ride the World Cup on prototype frames produced from their work with Weagle. Read on below for more info on the other brands that the Atherton Racing will be working with in this new set-up.
It takes a village to design the perfect bike brand
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Dan Atherton said. "It's always been a dream of mine for us to ride for our own bike company. We've ridden for some great brands, and we're proud of the part we've played in the development of DH bikes from the Commencal to the Trek Session, and trail bikes like the GT Sanction. We've always really enjoyed the process, from working with the designers on the early stages through to testing and refining prototypes on the World Cup circuit.
Gee Atherton shreds on the prototype
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"I'm enormously grateful for all the opportunities that system afforded us, we all are, but for us it's always been about pushing the boundaries of the sport. Back in 2003 we started Atherton Racing so that we could to do things the way we wanted, from building our own tracks to producing edits like the Atherton Project, and events like Red Bull Hardline. Now feels like the right time to put our hearts and soul into a range of bikes designed and built our way."
Gee looks happy with the test of the new bike
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You'll soon be able to ride an Atherton Bike
"We will start with what we know best, focussing on a high level product, designed to be ridden aggressively," adds Gee Atherton."For 2019 we'll race our own prototype bike, and we're planning to bring that DH bike to market, along with a range of trail bikes. We're working with some amazing guys formerly of Robot Bike Co., and they'll be an essential part of our startup. They are as passionate about the technology and its potential to disrupt the industry and shake up the large corporates as we are."
The design process has been intense
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Ed Haythornthwaite and his co-founders Ben Farmer and Andy Hawkins of Robot Bike Co. collectively have experience in World Cup racing, Formula One, and aerospace engineering. They're experts in composites and additive manufacturing (metal 3D printing), which allows for full customisation of every bike frame.
"The dream has always been to race our own bikes,'" reveals Rachel Atherton. "The additive manufactured bikes are so exciting and ground breaking – the ultimate bike. Throughout our entire career we've been proud to represent our country, and support the next generation of bike riders.
This is as close as we get to seeing the downhill bike right now
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"We all believe that having the right bike for you, and the stage you are at with your riding, can transform your experience. Our big goal is to see kids, all mountain explorers, bike park shredders, racers and e-bikers enjoying our bikes – just saying that sounds mind blowing.
"This is a genuine startup business that we're building from the ground up. It's going to be a huge undertaking to bring our bikes to market, even with Piers on board to help us. Our learning curve is steep, but the dream of bringing Atherton Bikes and our love for riding to everyone is about to be very real."
Mille Johnset and Charlie Hatton also confirmed
Norway's Mille Johnset is back for 2019
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Also on the Atherton Bikes roster this year will be two familiar young faces, Mille Johnset and Charlie Hatton. Both were part of the Atherton Racing setup last season, whilst Kade Edwards has opted to stay with former sponsor Trek.
Charlie Hatton
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The whole Atherton team
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The team's sponsorship line up features some big brands which they are more than familiar with along with some new companies.
Continental tyres are back on board as are British firm Renthal who will be providing cockpit set ups. Fox Racing Shox will also return on suspension duties with Endura and Bell providing race kits and helmets.
Perhaps the biggest non-3D printed 'new' part of the package will be the arrival of German brand Trickstuff for brakes. Welsh start-up Kingud will be tasked with keeping things looking sharp with cleaning responsibilities.
Visit www.athertonbikes.com for more information about the startup brand.
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