Gee Atherton is one of the most progressive and spectacular mountain-bikers of all time. He has been twice World Champion in Downhill mountain-biking (most recently in 2014) and World Cup Series Overall Champion. Gee won his first Downhill World Cup in 2004 aged just nineteen and has won eight more World Cups and over 50 World Cup podiums since. He holds 6 National titles.

The thing that sets Gee apart is the sheer force with which he attacks every run. He specialises in lines that many riders view as technically impossible and his “balls-out” style has led to some spectacular crashes which set the internet alight time and time again. 2013 had fans all over the world on the edge of their seats when Gee led the Series right up to the final round where the legendary and much-missed Steve Smith seized the overall title in the last seconds of a scorching season. And we’ll never forget Gee’s winning run at Cairns 2014 when he went 4 seconds clear of the field in shoes borrowed from a spectator! That season ended on a high with Gee’s second World Championship on an “intense” track at Hafjell, Norway.

But 2015 and 2016 were super-frustrating. Gee’s dedication to training and preparation are legendary so he came into both seasons on absolutely top form but in both years crashes took their toll.

At Lourdes 2015 Gee posted the fastest run in timed practise but an OTB in  qualifying left him with a suspected fracture to his hand. Characteristically Gee rode Finals with his useless hand velcro’ed to the bars of his bike to finish 48th. It wasn’t enough, he was left chasing points all season finishing 6^th overall – outside of the top 5 for the first time in his career.

2016 brought a move to Trek Bikes and once again anticipation was high as to what a fighting fit Gee could bring. He proved he had the speed, qualifying first at Fort William in front of an ecstatic home crowd but a Finals crash damaged his shoulder badly leaving him to power through the remainder of the season on adrenaline, painkillers and sheer grit. With his shoulder “total agony” Gee bowed out of the World Champs team, making way for Bernard Kerr to watch from the sidelines for the first time in over a decade. But a week later he rode to 4^th place at Red Bull Hardline, big brother Dan’s creation and probably the hardest downhill racetrack in the world.

The middle Atherton is a popular ambassador for the sport. His daring and skill earned him two silver medals at Red Bull Rampage and his sense of fun, mixed with his sheer aggression in the chase makes the Red Bull Fox Hunt a huge draw. As well as being “One of the World’s fastest racers” Pinkbike 2016 Gee is the team pin-up; he’s been a Cosmo centrefold (an experience he says he’ll repeat anytime!) and featured in the 2015 Sport Uncovered Series. When he’s not on his bike he can be found driving his rally car.

Gee’s shoulder is getting stronger every day. He heads into 2017 fit, focused and ready to show us exactly what he can do aboard the Trek Session.

Career Highlights