It was the worst kept secret in mountain biking this year but finally we can officially announce that the Athertons have joined forces with GT for 2012 and beyond.
Having enjoyed five long years of success with Commencal bikes including two World Championships and over 50 victories, the trio have moved lock stock and barrel over to GT where they will be joined by neighbour Marc Beaumont. Marc is no stranger to the scene with two World Cup wins to his name. The Athertons live close by, making the teams head quarters a perfect base.
The changes don’t end there though as while Marc will join Gee and Rachel at downhill World Cups, Dan will focus on Enduro style competitions. As we announced back in October, Enduro is to become a full World Cup discipline and Dan is not the first Pro to switch ranks with female World Champ Tracy Moseley also eyeing up a switch along with rumours of former multiple World Champ Nicolas Vouilloz. Does that mean we could see Dan at the forthcoming Gravity Enduro Irish series?…
Full release below -
GT Bicycles and Atherton Racing Join Forces
Jan 10, 2012
Bethel, CT, January 9, 2012 - GT Bicycles is proud to announce its partnership with Atherton Racing. Beginning in 2012, the mountain bike race team of Dan, Gee, and Rachel Atherton, will join non-‐family GT rider Marc Beaumont and form the new team GT Factory Racing.
“Atherton Racing is one of the most progressive teams in the history of mountain biking, and is known for taking the sport to the next level,” said Mark Peterman, Global General Manager GT Bicycles. “We’re excited about the partnership because it both continues GT’s legacy as the brand that helps progressive riders push their limits, and because of the opportunities it presents to develop new products.”
Over the past five years, Atherton Racing has seen over 50 professional victories and multiple World titles. For the first time, the Atherton team will also include a non-‐family member with GT rider Marc Beaumont. As a consistent World Cup downhill rider with podiums in some of the world’s greatest Enduro races, Beaumont will complement Gee on the UCI DH circuit, and Dan on the Euduro circuit, as his focus has shifted towards Enduro-‐style events. The team will be riding the GT Fury, Sanction, and Force Carbon and Alloy.
In addition to racing, the team will provide important product testing feedback and work hand— in—hand with GT on future product advancements and the next evolution of GT mountain bikes.
“The new relationship that’s formed between Atherton Racing and GT has opened up so many opportunities for everyone involved, I’m stoked to be going into the next few years of racing being bolstered by a company with such a passion for the sport, and with a company that’s drive for the top step of the podium, matches that of my own,” said Gee Atherton.
For more information on the GT Bicycles (@GTBicycles) and Atherton Racing (@AthertonRacing) partnership, please visit gtbikes.com and athertonracing.co.uk and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GTBicycles.
