This just in from
Animal / Commençal Team Manager Dan Brown:
She started the season with 3 wins in a row, now she's back from injury Rachel Atherton seems to be picking up where she left off, with a convincing win at the latest round of the National series.Winning her first race back was always going to be hard but not only did she do this she managed to put 18 seconds into her nearest rival with a time that would have put her well within the top ten of the senior mens field!
Her brothers Dan and Gee showed the rest of the field that they meant business too, in saturdays seeding run Dan took the fastest qualifier with Gee 0.5 seconds behind in second.
Dan Atherton / Image: Huw Davies
It was looking to be an Atherton clean sweep on Sunday but as racing tends to do, it didn't end up being that straight forward. Matt Simmonds took up the early pace only to be beaten by visiting frenchman Julien Camelini. With only 3 left to go it was Mark Beaumonts turn to step up and as he came into view it was obvious he was up on Camellini. As he crossed the line he was 2 seconds clear. This left Dan and Gee a lot to do, unfortunately they both had far from perfect runs.
In true Atherton fashion they didn't disappoint the crowds as they both went huge off the bottom step down jump. Dan despite his problematic run still placed an amazing 2nd with Gee in 4th.
Gee Atherton / Image: Huw Davies
Gee kept his lead in the series 11 points clear of Mark with Dan well in touch in fourth.Despite missing one of the three rounds Rachel leads the overall with two decisive wins.
The next round of the National series takes place on the 1st and 2nd of September at Caersws, Mid Wales.
Watch out
Fort Bill, the Athertons are coming...
For more information on the Animal / Commençal Team
click hereFor more information on the bikes they ride and the rest of the Commençal team
click hereAll images courtesy of Huw Davies.