On Tuesday Team Animal-Commencal had it’s 2009 press launch.  Present were all three of the amazingly successful Atherton’s resplendent in their new team kit.  World champions Gee and Rachel Atherton will again focus on Downhill for the coming season with eldest brother Dan riding both downhill and 4 cross.

The team have been busy training in California over the past few months in preparation for the coming season.  This year they have ramped up their training with the aim of defending their World Champion jerseys but nearly suffered a major disaster when Rachel riding on what was supposed to be a closed road, crashed head on into a pickup truck (see here for the full story).

She was lucky to only suffer a dislocated shoulder and is well on the way to a full recovery in time for the start of the season in South Africa next month.  This year their trainer flew out for two weeks of really intensive training and Red Bull supplied a sports psychologist too.  Gee estimates that 25% of downhilling is mental and that it has really helped his riding.

The Atherton’s recently resigned their contracts having been chased hard by other major manufacturers.  They turned down more lucrative deals, opting for to remain with their current sponsors as they have more freedom and input when it comes to bike design.  They have added one new sponsor- Nissan, and Gee commented that it is great to see main stream companies realise that mountain biking is a serious professional sport.  The addition of Nissan allows the team to have proper race support in the form of on sight mechanics etc.

The team told us that they have two different bikes dialled for the coming season. The are both based around their World Championship winning Commencal Supreme DH.  For the World Championships, held this year in Australia on what is considered a pedally course the bike is almost stock with a set head angle and back end.  Lighter tubing has been used too.  Their regular race bikes feature much longer chainstays for a long wheelbase which is super fast at high speeds.  The Supreme DH features a head angle which can be altered depending on the course requirements and the rear axle can be lengthened or shortened slightly too.

While in California they stopped in with another of their sponsors, Fox Racing shocks, to test some new 40 forks and RC4 rear shocks.  They are quite involved in testing and Gee insists that the high and low speed compression settings are one of the secrets of their success.

For 2009 they will ride full Shimano Saint groupsets with DT Swiss wheels and Shimano PRO componentry.  They were keeping tight-lipped on what they are developing but they are working with Shimano to develop some signature DH specific PRO stems, bars, seatposts and grips.  The bikes are shod with Michelin tyres.

Dan has a 4 cross specific titanium custom Commencal bike.  For 2009 this World Cup winner will be available in very limited numbers.  If you are interested talk to your local dealer quickly as demand will be high.  Our source in Commencal estimated that only 4-5 will find their way to the UK.

He is also getting back to his roots with BMX and is aiming towards a spot on the Olympic team for London 2012.   He has already engaged a coach and is training.

Looking back to the World Champs, Gee actually tried to qualify down the field, not in top spot.  He stopped to admire the view on his qualifying run but so did a number of other riders.

Last down the hill, Gee was shocked to cross the finish line and see the number 1 beside his name.  With no points on offer for the World Cup overall he says that the build up to the race is quite different in terms of pace and ideas but enjoys the pressure.  The course for this years World Championships is quite different to the Italian one from last year so it will be interesting to see what happens. Doubtless this talented family will continue to amaze the mountain bike world in what is shaping up to be a really exciting season.

All images courtest Sven Martin, www.athertonracing.co.uk