Mountain bike champion Rachel Atherton
Rachel Atherton is a British athlete who began riding BMX when she was 8 and mountain bikes when she was 11. By the time she was 20 she had already won the World Cup and a World Championship.
Unfortunately a freak accident with a truck put her out of racing in 2009. She had to have seven painful operations, and now her right shoulder is only half as strong as it once was. But, because of her indomitable spirit, Rachel did not give up and she has become the most successful British mountain biker in the history of the sport. She is a twice European champion, four times World champion and four times World Cup champion.
Unfortunately a freak accident with a truck put her out of racing in 2009. She had to have seven painful operations, and now her right shoulder is only half as strong as it once was. But, because of her indomitable spirit, Rachel did not give up and she has become the most successful British mountain biker in the history of the sport. She is a twice European champion, four times World champion and four times World Cup champion.
What is downhill mountain biking?
Riders race along a course that goes down a hill and is packed with jumps and obstacles - the rider with the fastest time wins.
Riders race along a course that goes down a hill and is packed with jumps and obstacles - the rider with the fastest time wins.