The Athertons Sweep At Fort Bill

Round one of the Downhill series at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano became a family affair, with the brother and sister team of Gee and Rachel Atherton (GT Factory Racing) crushing the competition in the elite men's and women's races at Fort William, Scotland, on Sunday.

British riders have always upped their game at what is, essentially, their home course, and this year was no different. Fort William is considered one of the gravity centers of the sport, and boasts some of the biggest and most enthusiastic crowds of the year. At nearly five minutes long, the track is also one of the hardest, requiring technical skills for the rocky upper section, and power and fitness for the bottom half.

Rachel Atherton qualified first among the women, over six seconds in front of Emmeline Ragot (Lapierre Gravity Republic), but the defending overall World Cup champion has been burned before in Scotland, finishing second the last three years. Fort William was the only major downhill result missing from her resumé.

Emilie Siegenthaler (Gstaad-Scott) set the first sub-5:30 time, which held until Nicole Myriam (Commencal/Riding Addiction) went below 5:25. Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen) then took the leading time below 5:20, but Ragot and Atherton were still to ride. Ragot couldn't manage to overtake Carpenter, so it was down to Atherton, and the British champion did not falter, finishing over ten seconds ahead of her compatriot.

"Winning is just ridiculously hard here," Atherton commented. "I have qualified first a few years here. You can't let your guard down. It is such a wild track and that run was just so messy all the way down, I was just thinking I'm throwing it away, the other girls are going to be smoother. I couldn't believe it when I crossed the line and finally heard the crowd cheering, instead of groaning like normal. I can't believe it."

Atherton leads the overall standings with 250 points, followed by Carpenter at 190 and Ragot at 180.

Unlike the women, the men's race did not have a single clear favourite. Danny Hart (Giant Factory), the 2011 world champion, qualified first, but less than two-tenths of a second ahead of Gee Atherton.

The leading time crept down slowly, with Austin Warren (Pivot Factory Team) the first to go under 4:50. Local Scottish rider Greg Williamson (Trek World Racing) was the next to spend any length of time in the Hot Seat, but the fastest riders were just starting to come down.

Sam Hill (ChainReactionCycles.com/Nukeproof), who won the world title in Fort William in 2007, broke the 4:40 mark, but that would not prove to be enough to make the podium. Only two riders later Brook MacDonald (Trek World Racing) took the lead, with five riders remaining, setting the stage for some of the closest times ever seen. The next three riders all came within nine-tenths of a second of MacDonald, but none could surpass the New Zealand rider.

Then it was the turn of Atherton, the 2010 winner at Fort William. The British champion was running the rock sections at the top noticeably faster than any other rider and, although he lost a few tenths of a second in the lower half, he still crossed the line 1.142 seconds faster than MacDonald to take the lead. Hart covered the top sections of the course almost as quickly as Atherton before fading in the pedaling section to finish seventh.

"I can't begin to describe it," said Atherton. "It is a pretty emotional feeling. It has been a while since I won here, and my sister won on the same day. It doesn't get better than this. I was scared, but it was a smooth run. This is the first run on a new bike but it went smooth. I couldn't have asked for a better run really. I am stoked to start the World Cup series like this. Bring it on, I say.”

Atherton leads the World Cup with 240 points, followed by MacDonald with 180 and Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) with 162.

In the new Junior mens’s World Cup category, Noel Niederberger (Gstaad-Scott) was the top finisher, followed by Michael Jones (FMD/Intense Cycles) and Lucas Dean (Australian National).

GT Factory Racing Adds 2 Racers

POWERHOUSE RIDERS TAYLOR VERNON AND MARTIN MAES SET TO RIDE WITH BEAUMONT AND ATHERTONS.

GT Bicycles has signed two of Europe’s most dominant young riders to expand its champion downhill and enduro race teams. Taylor Vernon of South Wales will join the world’s fastest downhill race team to train alongside Gee Atherton, Rachel Atherton, and Marc Beaumont, while Martin Maes from Belgium will join Dan Atherton on the enduro team.
 
“Taylor was first brought to our attention last year and we’ve seen him post some solid results in the under 16 sections this past season,” said Dan Brown, Team Director. “The team is on a roll right now with Rachel’s World Cup win, fastest team overall title and Gee taking podiums in every race. It feels like the right time for us to start to bring on some new young riders and we think that Taylor has the potential to become a major force on the World Cup scene.”16-year-old Vernon will be racing on a GT Fury as he works to dominate the Junior World Cups and World Championships.
 
“Words can’t describe how stoked I am to be joining Dan, Gee, Rachel, and Marc on GT Factory Racing,” said Vernon. “I’m so excited about racing at the International and World Cup level and know that I could not ask for a better or more experienced team of people to teach me all there is to know.”
 
On the enduro side, 15-year-old Martin Maes turned heads when he took 5th place overall at the Superenduro of Nations at Sauze d’Oulz. He will be riding a GT Force and focusing on the Enduro World Series.
 
“Nobody could quite believe it,” said Dan Atherton. “There isn’t a junior category in superenduro so this 15-year-old boy is just wasting some of the toughest and most experienced adult riders on the circuit.
 
We are really excited about the Enduro World Series in 2013 and I’m stoked to have a new teammate with this much potential.”
 
“This opportunity feels like a dream come true,” said Maes. “I have the greatest admiration for Rachel, Dan, Gee and Marc and will be so happy to ride with them.”

2013 GT Factory Racing Brings on Next Generation of Talent

GT Factory Racing announced today the signing of two of Europe’s most dominant young riders to expand its champion downhill and enduro race team GT Factory Racing. Taylor Vernon of South Wales will join the world’s fastest downhill race team to train alongside Gee Atherton, Rachel Atherton, and Marc Beaumont, while Martin Maes from Belgium will join Dan Atherton on the enduro team.

“Taylor was first brought to our attention last year and we’ve seen him post some solid results in the under 16 sections this past season,” said Dan Brown, Team Director. “The team is on a roll right now with Rachel’s World Cup win, fastest team overall title and Gee taking podiums in every race. It feels like the right time for us to start to bring on some new young riders and we think that Taylor has the potential to become a major force on the World Cup scene.”

Vernon is 16 years old and will be racing on a GT Fury. During the season, he will focus on dominating the Junior World Cups and World Championships.

“Words can’t describe how stoked I am to be joining Dan, Gee, Rachel, and Marc on GT Factory Racing,” said Vernon. “I’m so excited about racing at the International and
World Cup level and know that I could not ask for a better or more experienced team of people to teach me all there is to know.”

On the enduro side, 15-year-old Martin Maes turned heads when he took 5th place overall at the Superenduro of Nations at Sauze d’Oulz. He will be riding a GT Force and focusing on the Enduro World Series.

“Nobody could quite believe it,” said Dan Atherton. “There isn’t a junior category in superenduro so this 15-year-old boy is just wasting some of the toughest and most experienced adult riders on the circuit. We are really excited about the Enduro World Series in 2013 and I’m stoked to have a new teammate with this much potential.”

“This opportunity feels like a dream come true,” said Maes. “I have the greatest admiration for Rachel,Dan, Gee and Marc and will be so happy to ride with them. My key objectives for 2013 are to brush up on my English and to listen to Dan’s recommendations to progress on my bike.”

Keep glued to athertonracing.co.uk for all the latest on the team as they enter the 2013 season.

2013 GT Fury World Cup

Geomoetry

Specifications

Sizes:	S, M, L
Colors:	White
Frame:	F.O.C. XM™ Carbon Frame, 210mm Travel Independent Drivetrain™ Suspension System w/ F.O.C. Pivots, and 150 x 12mm Dropouts, and 1 1/2" Head Tube
Fork:	Fox Racing Shox 40RC2 FIT, 203mm Travel, FIT damper, 20x110mm Thru Axle, w/ Adjustable High Speed/Low Speed Compression & Rebound, Titanium Spring, & Kashima Stanchions
Rear Shock:	Fox Racing Shox DHX RC4, 9.5"x3", w/ w/ Adjustable High Speed/Low Speed Compression, Rebound, & Bottom-Out, Kashima Shock Shaft
Chain:	Shimano XTR, CN-M980
Crank:	Shimano Saint, FC-M825, 165mm, w/ 36T Ring
Bottom Bracket:	Shimano Saint, 83mm
Rear Derailleur:	Shimano Saint Shadow Plus, RD-M820
Shifters:	Shimano Saint, SL-M820, Rapid Fire, Right Side Only
Cog Set:	Shimano Dura Ace, CS-7900, 10-Speed, 11-25T
Rims:	e.thirteen LG1+ DH
Tires:	Continental Rammstein, Six Ply Casing w/ Black Chili Compound, 26"x2.5"
Hubs:	Shimano Saint, HB-M820, 20x110mm Thru Axle
Rear Hub:	Shimano Saint, FH-M825, 12x150mm Thru Axle
Spokes:	DT Swiss Competition, 2.0/1.8 Stainless
Nipples:	DT Pro Lock Alloy
Brake:	Shimano Saint, BR-M820, w/ Metallic Pad, Fins, & SM-RT99 203mm IceTech Rotor
Brake Levers:	Shimano Saint, BL-M820
Handlebar:	Pro Atherton DH riser, 800mm Width, 15mm Rise, 31.8mm Clamp
Stem:	Pro Atherton Direct Mount, 31.8mm Clamp, 45mm Length
Grips:	Pro Atherton Lock-on Grip
Headset:	Cane Creek Angleset ZS49xZS49 w/ +/- 1.5° Offset Cup
Saddle:	Pro Atherton Saddle w/ Titanium Rails
Seat Post:	Pro Atherton Post
Seat Clamp:	All Terra Alloy Bolt-on

Mountain Creek Bike Park ANd GT Bikes Partner For 2012

Vernon, NJ – April 3, 2012 – Mountain Creek Bike Park and GT Bicycles are pleased to
announce that they will be working together for the 2012 bike season. GT Bicycles, one of the
world’s foremost bicycle manufacturers will be named the “The Official Bike Partner” of Mountain
Creek Bike Park and will be available for rental at the Bike Park starting on opening day, May
5th. Additionally, Mountain Creek Bike Park has partnered with SixSixOne to offer the best in
protective equipment for rent or purchase.

“GT is one of the largest bike makers in the world and has such a rich history in bike racing and
mountain biking specifically. We couldn’t be more excited to be partnered with them for our first
season” says Hugh Reynolds, Marketing Manager. “The Fury is one of the best DH bikes on the
market and we think our guests will be stoked to get on the same bike that the Athertons and
some of the top racers in the world ride.”

The Mountain Creek Bike Park rental fleet will consist of thirty-five, 2012 Fury Alloy 2.0 bikes as
the standard rental model as well as a limited number of Fury Carbon Team bikes available as
high performance demo rentals for those who want to ride a World Cup ready rig. In addition to
the Fury Carbon Team, Mountain Creek will also offer the much anticipated 2012 Devinci Wilson
RC for high performance demo rental. This season’s rental pricing will be $89.99 plus tax for full-
day standard rentals and $189.99 plus tax for full-day high performance demo rentals. All bike
rentals come with complimentary SixSixOne protection rentals including: full-face helmet, elbow
and knee pads.

For those Bike Park or hotel guests looking to get out and pedal for their turns, Mountain Creek
Bike Park will also be renting the 2012 GT Sensor 3.0 cross-country trail bikes. The Sensor is
the perfect bike to tackle the Bike Park’s mountaintop cross-country trail network (opening June
2012) or any of the abundant single track and trail riding in the area surrounding the resort.

All the bikes at the Mountain Creek Bike Park will be meticulously maintained by our staff of
in-house bicycle mechanics. “We want to provide our guests with the best riding experiences
possible, and that all starts with the bikes.” adds Marc Tremain, Bike Park Operations Manager.

“We’re very excited about our partnership with Mountain Creek Bike Park for this season.
Mountain Creek offers some of the best riding in the East and in hearing about their plans and
vision for the future of the park, we know that great things lie ahead.” says Chris Hopwood of GT
Bicycles.

The Mountain Creek Bike Park opens for the 2012 season on Saturday May 5th and will play host
to the Mountain Creek Spring Classic a USA Cycling Pro GRT POC Eastern States Cup series race
on the weekend of May 20th. To keep up with all the latest news and events at Mountain Creek
Bike Park, be sure to follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/mountaincreekbikepark and visit
our website at Mountaincreekbikepark.com

About Mountain Creek Bike Park
Mountain Creek Resort is a unique gateway to the mountain lifestyle for millions of local urban
and suburban adventure seekers. Mountain Creek Bike Park is the NY metro area’s closest
lift-served biking destination, located just 47 miles from the George Washington Bridge in
Northwestern, NJ. Mountain Creek offers Downhill Mountain Biking for riders or all ability levels
with 45 natural and manmade downhill biking trails, more than 60 freestyle terrain features and
1,040 feet of vertical serviced by the high speed Cabriolet open-air gondola. Mountain Creek
Bike Park is proudly supported by: Red Bull, Shimano, SixSixOne/One Industries, GoPro, and GT
Bicycles.