The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup round in Fort William saw world champion siblings Gee and Rachel Atherton in action last weekend. They explain what makes the Scottish location so special.
Sven Martin/Red Bull Content Pool
Gee on the course…
“It’s a tough course, it really challenges you physically and technically all the way down. There really is no let-up.”
Sven Martin/Red Bull Content Pool
Rachel on the crowd…
“From the start, all the way down to the finish, it’s packed with people. The noise is unreal. It’s amazing when you’re hanging out for breath, with people shouting encouragement. It helps you dig deep and can make all the difference. Last time I came out of the start gate there I thought, ‘This is what it’s all about.’”
rutgerpauw.com/Red Bull Content Pool
Gee on the weather…
“The weather is always an extra challenge on that mountain. You’re trying to second-guess what’s going to happen.”
Mark Teo/Red Bull Photofiles
Rachel on the scenery…
“I love being in the mountains and the views from the top of the track in Fort William are amazing. You can see for miles and miles. It’s all wild mountains and moors, you feel like you’re out in the middle of nowhere and it’s so beautiful.”
Geoff Waugh/Red Bull Content Pool
Gee on the race fanatics…
“At most races, the crowds turn up for race day and that’s it. But at Fort William there are people there for the first day of practice cheering you on, they’re watching qualifying, they’re with you the whole way. It makes you put that little bit extra into the race and also makes it much easier to motivate yourself.”
These quotes are taken from the ‘Perfect 10’ feature on Fort William’s 10th anniversary World Cup round in this month’s edition of the Red Bulletin. Click here to read the June issue online.
Click here for the Red Bulletin iPad app
Want more?
- Visit the Atherton Racing official site
- Follow Gee on Twitter: @gee_atherton
- Fort William race report
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