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			{{Short description\|English cyclist}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2017}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2017}}
	{{Use British English\|date=November 2017}}		{{Use British English\|date=November 2017}}
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	\|name = Rachel Atherton		\|name = Rachel Atherton
	\|image = RachelAhterton.jpg		\|image = RachelAhterton.jpg
	\|image_size=		\|image_size =
			\|caption = Rachel Atherton in August 2008
	\|caption=
	\|fullname = Rachel Laura Atherton		\|fullname = Rachel Laura Atherton
	\|nickname = Waynehead		\|nickname = Waynehead
	\|birth_date = {{birth date and age\|df=yes\|1987\|12\|6}}		\|birth_date = {{birth date and age\|df=yes\|1987\|12\|6}}
	\|birth_place = {{~~ENG}}<br~~ ~~/>{{GBR~~}}		\|birth_place = {{Nowrap\|], England, United Kingdom}}
	\|height = ~~{{convert\|170\|cm\|ftin\|abbr=on}}~~		\|height = 1.70 m
	\|weight = ~~{{convert\|~~65\|kg~~\|lb\|abbr=on}}~~		\|weight = 65 kg
	\|currentteam = ~~Trek Factory~~ Racing		\|currentteam = Atherton Racing
	\|discipline = BMX & MTB		\|discipline = BMX & MTB
	\|role = Rider		\|role = Rider
	\|ridertype = DH		\|ridertype = DH
			\|proyears1 = 2007–2011
	\|majorwins = DH World Champion (x4)<br />DH World Cup (x5 overall, 33 rounds)<br />DH European Champion (x2)<br />DH National Champion (x5)<br />DH Junior World Champion
	\|medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry\|{{GBR2}}}}
	{{MedalSport \| Women's ]}}
	{{MedalCompetition\|World Championships}}
	{{MedalGold \| ]\|]}}
	{{MedalGold \| ]\|]}}
	{{MedalGold \| ]\|]}}
	{{MedalGold \| ]\|]}}
	{{MedalGold \| ]\|]}}
	{{MedalSilver \| ]\|]}}
	{{MedalSilver \| ]\|]}}
	{{MedalSilver \|]\|]}}
	{{MedalSilver \|]\|]}}
	{{MedalBronze \| ]\|]}}
	\|show-medals=
	\|amateurteam2=
	\|proteam1 = Animal Commençal		\|proteam1 = Animal Commençal
			\|proyears2 = 2011–2015
	\|proteam2 = GT		\|proteam2 = GT
	\|~~amateuryears2=\|proyears1~~ = ~~2007-2011~~		\|proyears3 = 2015–2018
	\|~~proyears2~~ = ~~2011-2015~~		\|proteam3 = Trek Factory Racing
			\|proyears4 = 2018–
	\|amateuryears1 =
			\|proteam4 = Atherton Bikes
	\|amateurteam1 =
			\|majorwins = DH World Champion (x5)<br>DH World Cup (x6 overall, 40 rounds)<br>DH European Champion<br>DH National Champion (x6)<br>DH Junior World Champion<br>DH Junior European Champion
	\|proyears3 = 2015-
			\|show-medals = no
	\|proteam3 = Trek Factory Racing}}
			\|medaltemplates =
			{{MedalSport\|Women's ]}}
			{{MedalCountry\|{{GBR2}}}}
			{{MedalCompetition\|]}}
			{{MedalGold\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalGold\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalGold\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalGold\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalGold\|]\|Downhill}}
			{{MedalSilver\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalSilver\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalSilver\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalBronze\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalGold\|]\|]}}
			{{MedalSilver\|]\|]}}
			}}
			'''Rachel Laura Atherton''' (born 6 December 1987) is a British professional ] ], and is a multiple time ].

			Atherton began riding BMX at the age of 8 and mountain biking at the age of 11.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mtb/News2006/20060416_rachel_atherton_interview.asp \|title=Rachel Atherton Interview \|publisher=British Cycling \|date=16 April 2008 \|access-date=2 June 2008 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621120304/http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mtb/News2006/20060416_rachel_atherton_interview.asp \|archive-date=21 June 2008 \|url-status=dead }}</ref> She was both '']''' Sportswoman of the Year<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/mtb.php?id=news/2005/nov05/nov23mtbnews \|title=Atherton awarded Young Sportswoman\|publisher=Cycling News\|date=November 2005}}</ref> and BBC Midlands Junior Sportswoman of the Year<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2005/12/05/sports_personality_rachel_atherton_feature.shtml\|title=Rachel wins BBC Midlands title\|publisher=BBC Shropshire\|date=5 December 2005\|access-date=2 June 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112045622/http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2005/12/05/sports_personality_rachel_atherton_feature.shtml\|archive-date=12 November 2012\|url-status=dead}}</ref> in 2005, and then BBC Midlands Sportswoman of the Year in 2008.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pinkbike.com/news/rachel-atherton-midlands-sportswoman-year-2008.html\|title=Rachel Atherton wins BBC Midlands Sportswoman of the Year!\|publisher=Pinkbike\|date=8 December 2008}}</ref> In October 2015, a video of Atherton overtaking 91 competitors in five minutes during a race went ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/events/1331726423300/red-bull-foxhunt-rachel-atherton\|title=Red Bull Foxhunt with Rachel Atherton\|publisher=Red Bull\|date=October 2015}}</ref>
	'''Rachel Laura Atherton''' (born 6 December 1987, near ]) is a professional ] specialising in ] ], and is a multiple ].

	Atherton began riding BMX at the age of 8 and mountain biking at the age of 11.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mtb/News2006/20060416_rachel_atherton_interview.asp \|title=Rachel Atherton Interview \|publisher=British Cycling \|date=16 April 2008}}</ref> She was both ]' Sportswoman of the Year<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/mtb.php?id=news/2005/nov05/nov23mtbnews \|title=Atherton awarded Young Sportswoman\|publisher=Cycling News\|date=November 2005}}</ref> and BBC Midlands Junior Sportswoman of the Year<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2005/12/05/sports_personality_rachel_atherton_feature.shtml \|title=Rachel wins BBC Midlands title\|publisher=BBC Shropshire\|date=5 December 2005}}</ref> in 2005, and then BBC Midlands Sportswoman of the Year in 2008.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pinkbike.com/news/rachel-atherton-midlands-sportswoman-year-2008.html\|title=Rachel Atherton wins BBC Midlands Sportswoman of the Year!\|publisher=Pinkbike\|date=8 December 2008}}</ref> In October 2015, a video of Atherton overtaking 91 competitors in five minutes during a race went ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/bike/events/1331726423300/red-bull-foxhunt-rachel-atherton\|title=Red Bull Foxhunt with Rachel Atherton\|publisher=Red Bull\|date=October 2015}}</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==
	~~Since~~ ~~2007~~ ~~Rachel~~ ~~Atherton~~ ~~has~~ ~~been~~ part of the ] race team along with brothers ] and ]. In 2012, ~~Rachel~~ along with brothers Dan, Gee and Marc Beaumont signed with ]. ~~Starting~~ 2015, ~~Rachel~~ and her brothers signed with ] to for Trek Atherton Racing.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.pinkbike.com/news/atherton-trek-racing-2015.html\|title=Atherton Racing + Trek\|publisher=Pinkbike\|date=11 November 2015}}</ref>		For 5 years from 2007, Atherton was part of the ] race team along with brothers ] and ]. In 2012, Atherton, along with her brothers Dan, Gee and Marc Beaumont, signed with ]. In 2015, Atherton and her brothers signed with ] to race for Trek Atherton Racing.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.pinkbike.com/news/atherton-trek-racing-2015.html\|title=Atherton Racing + Trek\|publisher=Pinkbike\|date=11 November 2015}}</ref>

			In June 2008 Atherton became the first British woman to win the ], defeating second placed ] by 11.99 seconds in the final.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDetails.asp?id=NTg1NQ&MenuId=MTI1OTU&BackLink=%2Ftemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI5%2Flayout.asp%3FMenuId%3DMTI1OTU \|title=Gee and Rachel Atherton will remember the 21st of June 2008 for a long time\|publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale\|date=21 June 2008}}</ref>

			Atherton was involved in a collision with a ] whilst on a ] training ride with her brothers Dan and Gee in ], ], on 18 January 2009.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pinkbike.com/news/rachel-atherton-car-accident-2009.html \|title=Rachel Atherton Car Crash Accident\| publisher=Pinkbike.com \|date=20 January 2009}}</ref> She sustained a dislocated shoulder which, after later needing a nerve graft,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=18\|title=Finally! A Decision!\|publisher=AnimalCommencal\|date=1 May 2009\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505185040/http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=18\|archive-date=5 May 2009}}</ref> ruled her out of the 2009 racing season, including the September ] in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=186\|title=World Championships, World Champion.\|publisher=Atherton Racing\|date=12 August 2009\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822084709/http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=186\|archive-date=22 August 2009}}</ref>

			In September 2012, Atherton took the final World Cup round on a diverse and testing Norwegian track and clinched the overall title, despite missing the opening race of the season. The Norwegian race was the final round of a seven-round series in which Atherton claimed a win in 5 of the 6 events she raced.

			In June 2016, Atherton became the first woman to win 10 consecutive rounds of the World Cup, surpassing the record previously held by ].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://dirtmountainbike.com/racing-events/leogang-world-cup-2016-rachel-atherton-takes-record-breaking-tenth-consecutive-win.html\|title=Leogang World Cup 2016: Rachel Atherton takes record breaking tenth consecutive win\|last=Smurthwaite\|first=James\|date=12 June 2016\|work=dirtmountainbike.com\|access-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> In September that same year, she also achieved the unprecedented feat of winning every round in a World Cup season.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://dirtmountainbike.com/racing-events/downhill/rachel-atherton-wins-womens-race-2016-vallnord-world-cup.html\|title=Rachel Atherton wins women's race: 2016 Vallnord World Cup\|date=3 September 2016\|work=dirtmountainbike.com\|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

			In 2019, Atherton suffered an injury to her Achilles tendon during a practice session, necessitating a prolonged period of recovery that sidelined her for the entirety of the 2020 season opener.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2022-07-21 \|title="It was a bit of an eye-opener": Rachel Atherton on returning to racing \|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/rachel-atherton-returns-to-mtb-racing-2022 \|access-date=2024-05-03 \|website=Red Bull \|language=en}}</ref>
	In June 2008 Rachel Atherton became the first British woman to win the ], defeating second placed ] by 11.99 seconds in the final.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDetails.asp?id=NTg1NQ&MenuId=MTI1OTU&BackLink=%2Ftemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI5%2Flayout.asp%3FMenuId%3DMTI1OTU \|title=Gee and Rachel Atherton will remember the 21st of June 2008 for a long time\|publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale\|date=21 June 2008}}</ref>

			In 2023, Atherton made a comeback to competitive riding at the UCI Downhill World Cup in Lenzerheide, clinching the first-place victory.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2023-06-12 \|title=Inside Rachel Atherton’s stunning UCI Downhill World Cup victory \|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/rachel-atherton-career-wins \|access-date=2024-05-03 \|website=Red Bull \|language=en}}</ref>
	Rachel Atherton was involved in a collision<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.pinkbike.com/news/rachel-atherton-car-accident-2009.html \|title=Rachel Atherton Car Crash Accident\| publisher=Pinkbike.com \|date=20 January 2009}}</ref> with a ] whilst on a ] training ride with brothers Dan and Gee in ], ], on 18 January 2009. She sustained a dislocated shoulder which, after later needing a nerve graft,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=18\|title=Finally! A Decision!\|publisher=AnimalCommencal\|date=1 May 2009\|deadurl=yes\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505185040/http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=18\|archivedate=5 May 2009\|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ruled her out of the 2009 racing season, including the September ] in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=186\|title=World Championships, World Champion.\|publisher=Atherton Racing\|date=12 August 2009\|deadurl=yes\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822084709/http://animalcommencal.tv/rachel/blog/?p=186\|archivedate=22 August 2009\|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

			==Personal life==
	In September 2012, Rachel Atherton took the final World Cup round on a diverse and testing Norwegian track and clinched the overall title, despite missing the opening race of the season. The Norwegian race was the final round of a seven-round series in which Atherton claimed a win in 5 of the 6 events she raced.
			Atherton keeps the rainbow jerseys she won for being world champion in a birdcage, so that she can "take them out, touch them and remember those races.".<ref>{{cite web\|title=Rachel Atherton: British mountain biker goes for fifth downhill World Championship title\|work=BBC Sport\|date=4 September 2018\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/45345249}}</ref>

			Atherton gave birth to a daughter on 4 August 2021.<ref>{{cite web\|url =https://pinkbike.com/news/rachel-atherton-announces-birth-of-baby-daughter-arna.html\|title =Rachel Atherton Announces Birth of Baby Daughter Arna\|first =James \|last =Smurthwaite \|date =9 August 2021 \|website =pinkbike}}</ref>
	In June 2016, Atherton became the first woman to win 10 consecutive rounds of the World Cup, surpassing the record previously held by ].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://dirtmountainbike.com/racing-events/leogang-world-cup-2016-rachel-atherton-takes-record-breaking-tenth-consecutive-win.html\|title=Leogang World Cup 2016: Rachel Atherton takes record breaking tenth consecutive win\|last=Smurthwaite\|first=James\|date=12 June 2016\|work=dirtmountainbike.com\|access-date=12 June 2016\|via=}}</ref> In September that same year, she also achieved the unprecedented feat of winning every round in a World Cup season.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://dirtmountainbike.com/racing-events/downhill/rachel-atherton-wins-womens-race-2016-vallnord-world-cup.html\|title=Rachel Atherton wins women's race: 2016 Vallnord World Cup\|date=3 September 2016\|work=dirtmountainbike.com\|access-date=3 September 2016\|via=}}</ref>

	==Palmarès==		==Palmarès==
			{{div col\|colwidth=30em}}
	{{colbegin\|2}}
	;2002		;2002
	:1st ] ] – Youth		:1st ] ] – Youth
	;2004		;2004
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:2nd ] – Junior		:2nd ] – Junior
	;2005		;2005
	:1st ] ] – Junior
	:1st ] ]
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
			:1st ] ] – Junior
			:1st ] ] - Junior
	;2006		;2006
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st Lisboa Downtown Championships		:1st Lisboa Downtown Championships
	:3rd Overall ]		:3rd Overall ]
	::1st Round 5 (])		::1st Round 5 (], ])
	:2nd ]		:2nd ]
	:3rd ]		:3rd ]
	;2007		;2007
	:1st ] Round 5 (])		:1st ], Round 5 (], ])
	:1st Maxxis Cup DH Round 1		:1st Maxxis Cup DH Round 1
	:1st ]		:1st ]
Line 83:		Line 94:
	:1st Fat Face Night Race		:1st Fat Face Night Race
	:1st Street Race, ]		:1st Street Race, ]
	:2nd ]		:2nd ]
	:2nd NPS DH, Round 5 (])		:2nd NPS DH, Round 5 (])
	:3rd DS, ]		:3rd DS, ]
	;2008		;2008
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st Overall ]		:1st Overall ]
	::2nd Round 1 (], ])		::2nd Round 1 (], ])
	::1st Round 2 (], ])		::1st Round 2 (], ])
Line 103:		Line 114:
	:]		:]
	::1st Round 1 (], ])		::1st Round 1 (], ])
			::2nd Round 2 (], ])
	::1st Round 6 (], ])		::1st Round 6 (], ])
	;2011		;2011
	:2nd ]		:2nd ]
	:3rd Overall ]		:3rd Overall ]
	::2nd Round 2 (], ])		::2nd Round 2 (], ])
	::2nd Round 3 (], ])		::2nd Round 3 (], ])
Line 114:		Line 126:
	;2012		;2012
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st Overall ]		:1st Overall ]
	::1st Round 2 (], ])		::1st Round 2 (], ])
	::2nd Round 3 (], ])		::2nd Round 3 (], ])
Line 121:		Line 133:
	::1st Round 6 (], ])		::1st Round 6 (], ])
	::1st Round 7 (], ])		::1st Round 7 (], ])
	:1st European Downhill Cup ~~Round~~ 1 (], ])		:1st European Downhill Cup round 1 (], ])
	:1st European Downhill Cup ~~Round~~ 2 (], ])		:1st European Downhill Cup round 2 (], ])
	:2nd British Downhill Series, Round 1 (], ])		:2nd British Downhill Series, Round 1 (], ])
	:2nd British Downhill Series, Round 2 (], ])		:2nd British Downhill Series, Round 2 (], ])
	;2013		;2013
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st Overall ]		:1st Overall ]
	::1st Round 1 (], ])		::1st Round 1 (], ])
	::1st Round 2 (], ])		::1st Round 2 (], ])
Line 135:		Line 147:
	::2nd Round 6 (], ])		::2nd Round 6 (], ])
	;2014		;2014
	:2nd ]		:2nd ]
	:2nd Overall ]		:2nd Overall ]
	::2nd Round 1 (], ])		::2nd Round 1 (], ])
	::1st Round 2 (], ])		::1st Round 2 (], ])
Line 144:		Line 156:
	::1st Round 7 (], ])		::1st Round 7 (], ])
	;2015		;2015
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st Overall ]		:1st Overall ]
	::2nd Round 1 (], ])		::2nd Round 1 (], ])
	::1st Round 2 (], ])		::1st Round 2 (], ])
Line 156:		Line 168:
	:1st British Downhill Series, Round 2 (], ])		:1st British Downhill Series, Round 2 (], ])
	;2016		;2016
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st ] ]		:1st ] ]
	:1st Overall ]		:1st Overall ]
	::1st Round 1 (], ])		::1st Round 1 (], ])
	::1st Round 2 (], ])		::1st Round 2 (], ])
Line 166:		Line 178:
	::1st Round 6 (], ])		::1st Round 6 (], ])
	::1st Round 7 (], ])		::1st Round 7 (], ])
			;2017
	<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/uci-mtb-world-cup-xco-5-and-dhi-6-2016/elite-women-downhill/results/ \|title=Atherton wins World Cup in Mont Sainte Anne\|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|date=7 August 2016 \|website=]\|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref>
			:1st ] ]
	{{colend}}
			:]
			::1st Round 1 (], ])
			::2nd Round 5 (], ])
	;2018		;2018
	:~~2nd~~ ~~place,~~ ].		:1st ] ]
			:1st Overall ]
			::2nd Round 1 (], ])
			::3rd Round 2 (], ])
			::1st Round 3 (], ])
			::2nd Round 4 (], ])
			::2nd Round 5 (], ])
			::1st Round 6 (], ])
			::1st Round 7 (], ])
			;2019
			:]
			::2nd Round 1 (], ])
			::1st Round 2 (], ])
			::1st Round 4 (], ])
			;2023
			:]
			::1st Round 1 (], ])
			{{div col end}}

	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist\|2}}		{{Reflist}}

	==External links==		==External links==
			* on Redbull.com
			*{{Cycling Archives}}
	*		*
	*		*
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	*		*

			{{UCI Mountain Bike World Champions – Women's downhill}}
	{{Laureus World Sports Award for Action Sportsperson of the Year}}		{{Laureus World Sports Award for Action Sportsperson of the Year}}

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	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
			]
	]		]
			]
			]
			]

Latest revision as of 00:27, 13 December 2024

English cyclist

Rachel Atherton

Rachel Atherton in August 2008

Personal information

Full name

Rachel Laura Atherton

Nickname

Waynehead

Born

(1987-12-06) 6 December 1987 (age 37)
Salisbury, England, United Kingdom

Height

1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)

Weight

65 kg (143 lb)

Team information

Current team

Atherton Racing

Discipline

BMX & MTB

Role

Rider

Rider type

Professional teams

2007–2011

Animal Commençal

2011–2015

2015–2018

Trek Factory Racing

2018–

Atherton Bikes

Major wins

DH World Champion (x5)
DH World Cup (x6 overall, 40 rounds)
DH European Champion
DH National Champion (x6)
DH Junior World Champion
DH Junior European Champion

Medal record

Women's mountain bike racing

Representing Great Britain
World Championships
	2008 Val Di Sol	Downhill
	2013 Pietermaritzburg	Downhill
	2015 Vallnord	Downhill
	2016 Val di Sole	Downhill
	2018 Lenzerheide	Downhill
	2007 Fort William	Downhill
	2011 Champery	Downhill
	2014 Hafjell	Downhill
	2006 Rotorua	Downhill
	2005 Livigno	Downhill (junior)
	2004 Les Gets	Downhill (junior)

Rachel Laura Atherton (born 6 December 1987) is a British professional downhill mountain bike racer, and is a multiple time UCI World Champion.

Atherton began riding BMX at the age of 8 and mountain biking at the age of 11. She was both Sunday Times' Sportswoman of the Year and BBC Midlands Junior Sportswoman of the Year in 2005, and then BBC Midlands Sportswoman of the Year in 2008. In October 2015, a video of Atherton overtaking 91 competitors in five minutes during a race went viral.

Career

For 5 years from 2007, Atherton was part of the Animal Commençal race team along with brothers Dan Atherton and Gee Atherton. In 2012, Atherton, along with her brothers Dan, Gee and Marc Beaumont, signed with GT Bicycles. In 2015, Atherton and her brothers signed with Trek Bicycle Corporation to race for Trek Atherton Racing.

In June 2008 Atherton became the first British woman to win the Elite UCI Downhill World Championship, defeating second placed Sabrina Jonnier by 11.99 seconds in the final.

Atherton was involved in a collision with a pickup truck whilst on a time trial training ride with her brothers Dan and Gee in Santa Cruz, California, on 18 January 2009. She sustained a dislocated shoulder which, after later needing a nerve graft, ruled her out of the 2009 racing season, including the September World Championships in Canberra.

In September 2012, Atherton took the final World Cup round on a diverse and testing Norwegian track and clinched the overall title, despite missing the opening race of the season. The Norwegian race was the final round of a seven-round series in which Atherton claimed a win in 5 of the 6 events she raced.

In June 2016, Atherton became the first woman to win 10 consecutive rounds of the World Cup, surpassing the record previously held by Anne-Caroline Chausson. In September that same year, she also achieved the unprecedented feat of winning every round in a World Cup season.

In 2019, Atherton suffered an injury to her Achilles tendon during a practice session, necessitating a prolonged period of recovery that sidelined her for the entirety of the 2020 season opener.

In 2023, Atherton made a comeback to competitive riding at the UCI Downhill World Cup in Lenzerheide, clinching the first-place victory.

Personal life

Atherton keeps the rainbow jerseys she won for being world champion in a birdcage, so that she can "take them out, touch them and remember those races.".

Atherton gave birth to a daughter on 4 August 2021.

Palmarès

2002

1st

British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH) – Youth

2004

1st

British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH)

2nd UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH) – Junior

2005

1st

British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH)

1st

UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH) – Junior

1st

European Mountain Bike Championships (DH) - Junior

2006

1st

European Mountain Bike Championships (DH)

1st Lisboa Downtown Championships

3rd Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

1st Round 5 (Balneário Camboriú, Brazil)

2nd British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH)

3rd UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

2007

1st UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH), Round 5 (Maribor, Slovenia)

1st Maxxis Cup DH Round 1

1st Sea Otter Classic

1st NPS DH, Round 1

1st NPS DH, Round 3 (Moelfre)

1st NPS DH, Round 4 (Caersws)

1st Fat Face Night Race

1st Street Race, Edinburgh

2nd UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

2nd NPS DH, Round 5 (Innerleithen)

3rd DS, Sea Otter Classic

2008

1st

UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

1st Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

2nd Round 1 (Maribor, Slovenia)

1st Round 2 (Vallnord, Andorra)

3rd Round 3 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 4 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

1st Round 5 (Bromont, Canada)

2nd Round 6 (Canberra, Australia)

1st Round 7 (Schladming, Austria)

1st Maxxis Cup DH (Gouveia, Portugal)

1st Alpine Bikes Winter series DH (Scotland)

1st Canadian Open DH (Whistler, Canada)

1st Monster Energy Garbanzo Downhill (Whistler, Canada)

2010

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

1st Round 1 (Maribor, Slovenia)

2nd Round 2 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 6 (Windham, United States)

2011

2nd UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

3rd Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

2nd Round 2 (Fort William, Scotland)

2nd Round 3 (Leogang, Austria)

3rd Round 4 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

1st Round 5 (Windham, United States)

3rd Round 7 (Val di Sole, Italy)

2012

1st

British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH)

1st Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

1st Round 2 (Val di Sole, Italy)

2nd Round 3 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 4 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

1st Round 5 (Windham, United States)

1st Round 6 (Val d'Isère, France)

1st Round 7 (Hafjell, Norway)

1st European Downhill Cup round 1 (Monte Tamaro, Switzerland)

1st European Downhill Cup round 2 (Leogang, Austria)

2nd British Downhill Series, Round 1 (Combe Sydenham, England)

2nd British Downhill Series, Round 2 (Fort William, Scotland)

2013

1st

UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

1st Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

1st Round 1 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 2 (Val di Sole, Italy)

1st Round 3 (Vallnord, Andorra)

2nd Round 4 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

1st Round 5 (Hafjell, Norway)

2nd Round 6 (Leogang, Austria)

2014

2nd UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

2nd Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

2nd Round 1 (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

1st Round 2 (Cairns, Australia)

2nd Round 4 (Leogang, Austria)

2nd Round 5 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

2nd Round 6 (Windham, United States)

1st Round 7 (Méribel, France)

2015

1st

UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

1st

British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH)

1st Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

2nd Round 1 (Lourdes, France)

1st Round 2 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 3 (Leogang, Austria)

1st Round 4 (Lenzerheide, Switzerland)

1st Round 5 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

1st Round 6 (Windham, United States)

1st Round 7 (Val di Sole, Italy)

1st British Downhill Series, Round 2 (Fort William, Scotland)

2016

1st

UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships (DH)

1st

British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH)

1st Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

1st Round 1 (Lourdes, France)

1st Round 2 (Cairns, Australia)

1st Round 3 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 4 (Leogang, Austria)

1st Round 5 (Lenzerheide, Switzerland)

1st Round 6 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

1st Round 7 (Vallnord, Andorra)

2017

1st

British National Mountain Biking Championships (DH)

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

1st Round 1 (Lourdes, France)

2nd Round 5 (Lenzerheide, Switzerland)

2018

1st

UCI Mountain Bike World Championships (DH)

1st Overall UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

2nd Round 1 (Lošinj, Croatia)

3rd Round 2 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 3 (Leogang, Austria)

2nd Round 4 (Val di Sole, Italy)

2nd Round 5 (Vallnord, Andorra)

1st Round 6 (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada)

1st Round 7 (La Bresse, France)

2019

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

2nd Round 1 (Maribor, Slovenia)

1st Round 2 (Fort William, Scotland)

1st Round 4 (Vallnord, Andorra)

2023

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup (DH)

1st Round 1 (Lenzerheide, Switzerland)

References

"Rachel Atherton Interview". British Cycling. 16 April 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
"Atherton awarded Young Sportswoman". Cycling News. November 2005.
"Rachel wins BBC Midlands title". BBC Shropshire. 5 December 2005. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
"Rachel Atherton wins BBC Midlands Sportswoman of the Year!". Pinkbike. 8 December 2008.
"Red Bull Foxhunt with Rachel Atherton". Red Bull. October 2015.
"Atherton Racing + Trek". Pinkbike. 11 November 2015.
"Gee and Rachel Atherton will remember the 21st of June 2008 for a long time". Union Cycliste Internationale. 21 June 2008.
"Rachel Atherton Car Crash Accident". Pinkbike.com. 20 January 2009.
"Finally! A Decision!". AnimalCommencal. 1 May 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009.
"World Championships, World Champion". Atherton Racing. 12 August 2009. Archived from the original on 22 August 2009.
Smurthwaite, James (12 June 2016). "Leogang World Cup 2016: Rachel Atherton takes record breaking tenth consecutive win". dirtmountainbike.com. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
"Rachel Atherton wins women's race: 2016 Vallnord World Cup". dirtmountainbike.com. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
""It was a bit of an eye-opener": Rachel Atherton on returning to racing". Red Bull. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
"Inside Rachel Atherton's stunning UCI Downhill World Cup victory". Red Bull. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
"Rachel Atherton: British mountain biker goes for fifth downhill World Championship title". BBC Sport. 4 September 2018.
Smurthwaite, James (9 August 2021). "Rachel Atherton Announces Birth of Baby Daughter Arna". pinkbike.

External links

Athlete profile of Rachel Atherton on Redbull.com
Rachel Atherton at Cycling Archives (archived)
athertonracing.co.uk
animalcommencal.com
Interview: Rachel Atherton, Douglas Cook, Descent World, 2004
An interview with the Athertons, Steve Thomas, Cycling News, 6 September 2007
Silverfish Atherton Racing Profiles
Rachel Atherton's bio

v t e UCI Mountain Bike World Champions – Women's downhill
1990–1999	1990: Cindy Devine (CAN) 1991: Giovanna Bonazzi (ITA) 1992: Juli Furtado (USA) 1993: Giovanna Bonazzi (ITA) 1994: Missy Giove (USA) 1995: Leigh Donovan (USA) 1996: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 1997: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 1998: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 1999: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA)
2000–2009	2000: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 2001: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 2002: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 2003: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 2004: Vanessa Quin (NZL) 2005: Anne-Caroline Chausson (FRA) 2006: Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) 2007: Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) 2008: Rachel Atherton (GBR) 2009: Emmeline Ragot (FRA)
2010–2019	2010: Tracy Moseley (GBR) 2011: Emmeline Ragot (FRA) 2012: Morgane Charre (FRA) 2013: Rachel Atherton (GBR) 2014: Manon Carpenter (GBR) 2015: Rachel Atherton (GBR) 2016: Rachel Atherton (GBR) 2017: Miranda Miller (CAN) 2018: Rachel Atherton (GBR) 2019: Myriam Nicole (FRA)
2020–2029	2020: Camille Balanche (SUI) 2021: Myriam Nicole (FRA) 2022: Valentina Höll (AUT) 2023: Valentina Höll (AUT) 2024: Valentina Höll (AUT)

v t e Laureus World Sports Award for Action Sportsperson of the Year winners
2000: Shaun Palmer 2001: Mike Horn 2002: Bob Burnquist 2003: Dean Potter 2004: Layne Beachley 2005: Ellen MacArthur 2006: Angelo d'Arrigo 2007: Kelly Slater 2008: Shaun White 2009: Kelly Slater 2010: Stephanie Gilmore 2011: Kelly Slater 2012: Kelly Slater 2013: Felix Baumgartner 2014: Jamie Bestwick 2015: Alan Eustace 2016: Jan Frodeno 2017: Rachel Atherton 2018: Armel Le Cléac'h 2019: Chloe Kim 2020: Chloe Kim 2021: Not awarded 2022: Bethany Shriever 2023: Eileen Gu 2024: Arisa Trew

Laureus World Sports Award for Action Sportsperson of the Year winners

2000: Shaun Palmer
2001: Mike Horn
2002: Bob Burnquist
2003: Dean Potter
2004: Layne Beachley
2005: Ellen MacArthur
2006: Angelo d'Arrigo
2007: Kelly Slater
2008: Shaun White
2009: Kelly Slater
2010: Stephanie Gilmore
2011: Kelly Slater
2012: Kelly Slater
2013: Felix Baumgartner
2014: Jamie Bestwick
2015: Alan Eustace
2016: Jan Frodeno
2017: Rachel Atherton
2018: Armel Le Cléac'h
2019: Chloe Kim
2020: Chloe Kim
2021: Not awarded
2022: Bethany Shriever
2023: Eileen Gu
2024: Arisa Trew

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