Rachel Atherton. Photo: Sven Martin
ATHERTON DOESN’T JUST WIN RACES, SHE DOMINATES THEM—OFTEN BEATING THE COMPETITION BY 10 SECONDS OR MORE. JUST 21, SHE ALREADY POSSESSES THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RAINBOW STRIPES AND HAS WON A STAGGERING SEVEN WORLD CUP RACES. SLOWED BY A SERIOUS COLLISION WITH A TRUCK WHILE TRAINING EARLIER THIS YEAR, ATHERTON IS PREPARING TO RETURN THIS MONTH.
I never really had any female role models growing up because I was very far removed from racing and the whole cycling industry. And even when I started racing, the biggest influences on me were my brothers.
