Rachel returns to racing

Downhill racing legend Rachel Atherton has announced a comeback as part of the recently expanded Continental-Atherton Racing team.

Squad! Hmm… what are those shoes (most of them) are wearing? Photo: Jack Tennyson

The multiple World Champ, and World Cup dominator, Rachel Atherton hasn’t raced a bike since 2019. In 2019 she seriously injured her Achille tendon during the Les Gets World Cup and spent the following months trying to get back to full fitness. In August last year she became a mother to Arna.

During Rachel’s absence from the World Cup things have changed immensely in women’s Downhill.

Tracey Hannah and Myriam Nicole filled the immediate void left by Rachel. Then newer names like Marine Cabirou, Nina Hoffman and Vali Holl began to up their game.

Rachel’s return is going to be fascinating for two reasons. Firstly, will she still be able to race at the level she used to? Secondly, what will her rival racers reactions be? Has their fear of Rachel diminished in her absence?

We wouldn’t bet against her

In the 2010s, women’s Downhill was owned by Rachel Atherton. Can she make a mark in the 2020s?

The earliest chance we’ll get to the answer of any of these questions is March. Lourdes is the venue for the 1st round of the 2022 World Cup DH season on 26-27th March.

Speaking of which…

2022 World Cup DH and World Championship schedule

March 26th-27th – Lourdes, France
May 21st-22th – Fort William
June 10th-12th – Leogang, Austria
July 8th-10th – Lenzerheide
July 15th17th – Vallnord, Andorra
July 29th-31st – Snowshoe, USA
August 5th-7th – Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada
September 2nd-4th – Val di Sole, Italy
August 24th–28th – World Championships, Les Gets, France

Rachel: “Getting back to the races is a huge driver, to be on the podium again would be the dream. I feel amazing on the bike but the strength and fitness are coming a bit more slowly! I’m just taking things one step at a time, I’d like to race some UK Nationals first then we’ll see where I’m really at!”

The Continental-Atherton Racing still features founding members Dan and Gee Atherton. Dan continues to mentor the team and develop the Dyfi Bike Park. Gee is making rehab progress after his jaw-dropping crash last year and has an eye on getting back to racing at some point this season.

Gee said “I’m missing being part of the action at the races and I’ve already got some big filming projects planned so I’m flat out on the rehab!”

Continental-Atherton Racing is heading into its third season. Millie Johnset has departed but two new names join the roster: first year Junior Dominic Platt and ‘Hardline survivor’ Jim Monro.

Under the Atherton Academy Dominic Platt won nearly everything on offer in the Under 16 category.

20 year old Jim Monro moved to the Dyfi three years ago to both push his racing on and to help Dan develop Dyfi Bike Park.

The two young Brits join Charlie Hatton and Andreas Kolb.

Team Director and Atherton Bikes CEO Dan Brown: “All riders will start the season onboard a final prototype of the mullet version of the AM200 with plans for the frame to go into full production in spring. There has been a lot of excellent work over the off-season, both from the riders and the design team, so we’re chomping at the bit to hear the start beeps in Lourdes.”

Heads up! There’s an interview with Rachel Atherton in issue 142 of Singletrack magazine, out early April.

Ben Haworth

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.