Dan Atherton returns…

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Some good news! Dan Atherton is finally back on his bike after breaking his neck in a horrific crash at his dirt jumps in North Wales back in July last year. The stack ended up with him breaking his C1 Disc, the serious injury forcing him to sit immobile in a full neck brace for months, giving him plenty of time for contemplation and only with his commitment and dedication to get him through the low patches.

Pic by Sven Martin

On the 20th January, Dan received the results of a final CT scan from Dr Robert Bray, the spinal specialist who has been overseeing his treatment. Red Bull’s Darren Roberts, the Atherton families personal trainer, accompanied Dan and had this to report, “The fractures have all healed and the tiny fragments of bone which are loose will be absorbed by the body over time, there was a slim possibility that an operation was required to remove these – but thankfully that op is not needed.  More importantly Dr Bray said the words we’ve been waiting to hear since July 2010, ‘you’re good to go Dan, totally healed – get back on your bike and get riding hard. Try not to break it again’.”

Dan is now back on a bike and currently in full strength and conditioning training, aiming to return to World Cup competition at the second round of the series in Fort William, Scotland. He’ll be concentrating on the discipline of downhill and he’s hoping to take his new Commencal Supreme bike back to the podium glory he enjoyed before this incident.

Pic by Sven Martin

The Atherton team and family would like to thank all the sponsors and friends that have stood by Dan through this difficult time and worked with him to get back to this point where he can continue to shine in a sport to which he has brought so much of his unique attitude, style and speed. Here’s to the return of Dan Atherton to his rightful place, on a bike. All of us at Singletrack would like to wish him good luck in the coming season…

You can stay in touch with the Athertons and team Commencal via Twitter, Facebook and the Atherton Racing team website

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