Gee
Atherton
United Kingdom
·
MTB
Date of birth | February 26, 1985 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Salisbury |
Age | 41 |
Nationality | United Kingdom |
Career start | 2001 |
Disciplines | Mountainbike Downhill |
Known across the world of mountain biking as Gee, the middle Atherton sibling has been a sensation in the sport since the age of 15.
In 2004, at the age of 19, he won his first Downhill World Cup on the technically challenging track in the Austrian resort of Schladming. A win at this level may have seemed inevitable after his results in the junior categories, including two World Championship medals, but to gain it at such a young age was outstanding.
How Gee Atherton became one of downhill mountain biking's greatest riders
That year he also won the National Championships at his first attempt and went on to top podiums the world over, most notably taking gold at the 2008 World Championship alongside sister Rachel Atherton, and securing the 2010 Mountain Bike World Cup crown.
With second at Red Bull Rampage in 2004, the toughest of events to be judged on creativity rather than speed, he demonstrated his all-round talent.
Gee placed second at the end of the 2013 World Cup Series, and took the title as British downhill national champion 2013. He headed into 2014 even more focused and determined, the highlight of his season being the win at the World Championship in Hafjell. Gee tore into the World Cup competition in Cairns to take the win, but couldn’t find the pace for the podium in a tough field, ultimately finishing his 2014 World Cup season fifth overall.
Career-threatening injuries and remarkable comebacks
Sadly 2017 followed in the same injury-plagued vein, with Gee suffering a dislocated hip, but as one of the fittest and most determined racers on the circuit, he didn't let that hold him back for long. He returned to action in 2018 and looked to be getting back to the sort of form he's known for towards the end of the season, signing off with a silver medal at the World Champs and taking the win at Red Bull Hardline.
Building Atherton Bikes
The 2019 season saw Gee embark on a new venture with his very own Atherton Bikes brand alongside his sister, Rachel, where he raced and developed their new DH bike on the World Cup circuit, ending the year with another podium performance at the world's toughest downhill race, Red Bull Hardline, with a strong second place.
Why Gee Atherton continues to push the limits
Filming his The Knife Edge video near Dinas Mawddwy, Wales, he broke his leg, wrist, ribs, nose and eye socket, as well as suffering concussion.
But far from putting him off from riding risky lines, Gee couldn't wait to get back to it as soon as possible:
"I can honestly say that being injured hasn’t put me off this kind of riding," he said. "In fact it’s the complete opposite. The thought of more of these challenges is the light at the end of the tunnel, the reason I’ve pushed on with physio so early, it’s what helps me face the daily grind of painful rehab.
"It's my goal. I’m passionate about the projects and I plan to do more as soon as I can."
Gee Atherton moving forwards
Today, Gee is focused less on chasing World Cup titles and more on pushing the boundaries of mountain biking through pioneering film projects - such as the Ridgeline series - development at Atherton Bikes and the evolution of Red Bull Hardline.
Gee Atherton is a co-founder of Atherton Bikes
© Brett Hemmings/Red Bull Content Pool
Gee Atherton takes a pause on location in Kazakhstan
© Dan Griffiths/Red Bull Content Pool
Gee Atherton is exploring the world with his Ridgeline series
© Dan Griffiths/Red Bull Content Pool
Gee Atherton hits the road gap at Red Bull Hardline
© Duncan Philpott