Dan Atherton has been called “one of the world’s greatest bike handlers”. His versatility, extraordinary work ethic and his prodigious trail-building skills make him an inspiration to a generation of riders. Dan started racing BMX in Somerset when he was fourteen years old and it wasn’t long before he had Gee and Rachel hooked too.
He has had top flight results in BMX, Downhill and Four Cross. Highlights include a National Championship, numerous World Cup podiums and a World Cup win (in 4X in 2008) But in 2010 Dan’s love of Dirt Jumping led to an accident which threatened to end his entire career when he broke his neck at C1 vertebrae.
It is a measure of his determination and of his love of the sport that he not only made a full recovery but returned to racing at the highest level – and to devising even bigger and more technical jumps. Dan can often be found with a shovel in his hand, at his famous “yard” at Atherton HQ or at Revolution Bike Park at the Llangynog Quarry, setting for Episode 4 of Red Bull’s Four by Three .
2012 saw Dan take the emerging Enduro discipline by storm. In his first full season he notched up a convincing win at the Superenduro Pro 6, Finale Ligure where he smashed five out of five stages as well as taking firsts at the mass start Maxi Avalanche in Andorra, at the Asia Pacific Challenge and a 3rd at Megavalanche.
The Enduro format which has been announced for 2013 is exactly what Dan would have chosen. The man that his siblings call “The Machine” approaches the new season leaner and fitter than ever before and with a full season’s experience of this new discipline to draw upon. He will be joined by a new team–mate, sixteen year old Martin Maes from Belgium and supported by a more formal team structure as he endeavours to bring the professionalism that he enjoyed as part of the Downhill team into this new arena.
In 2012 the quietest of the Athertons was a guest on ITV4’s the Cycle Show and featured on several front covers. Always approachable,“Affy” is respected as one of the finest mentors in mountain-biking, for 2013 he’ll be working intensely with Martin as well as leading several development projects for elite and amateur riders.
Career Highlights
