George David Atherton (39) is known in the scene as Gee Atherton. The Brit is often referred to as G-Man (Gun-Man) or King George as a reference to his attitude and position in the world of gravity bikers.
Gee is a two-time downhill world champion (2008, 14), has twice won silver at the most spectacular competition in biking, the Red Bull Rampage, won the legendary Red Bull Hardline (2018) and is still as hungry for adventure and adrenaline-seeking at 39 as he was at 21.
We spoke to Gee about the 20-metre drop he attempted at the Red Bull Rampage 2023, risk in biking and why he would never think of taking it easy.
Gee Atherton: Interview with the Rampage maniac
FREERIDE: Gee, have you lost your mind - how can you do a 20 metre drop?
Gee Atherton: When you're sure of yourself. And I was pretty sure of myself. You know, when you come to Rampage, you can either have fun, be part of the show, or you can attack. Attacking means you do your best, go beyond your limit and take a few big shots. For me it was clear: I want to attack.
Some people said you should have built the landing bigger and safer. There would have been plenty of time for that. What do you say to that?
The landing was okay. Of course I could have made it nicer, watered it, smoothed it out to make it look better. But the landing was well built and functional. The landing had nothing to do with the fact that I fell.
What went wrong?
I was too fast. I fell far too far and landed too low on the landing hill. As soon as I rolled over the edge, I realised: "Damn, I'm going too fast!" But by then it was too late. Nothing more you can do. You're sailing into disaster with your eyes wide open. What's more, the wind was pushing me to one side. The wind tilted me and put me in a very unfavourable position. In other words, this is exactly how you don't want to land from this height. In short, the landing could have been whatever I wanted, but under these conditions the impact was simply too heavy.
So the same thing happened to you as Clemens Kaudela with his monster drop?
Exactly, too fast. But it was also very difficult to judge. The drop had no gap. It was an old-school drop: the landing was directly under the cliff. It was really hard not to jump too far. On top of that, you're really under steam when you do stunts like that and tend to accelerate too much.
They say it was the highest drop ever attempted in mountain biking.
Could well be. It probably was. If the gap between take-off and landing had been a bit bigger, I would have made it. But it's always easy to tell in hindsight.
"Everyone flies off to the sun to go biking and I have to stay at home in England in winter. It's cruel and really tests my psyche," says Gee Atherton.
Now you're at home in England, running from one physio appointment to the next and doing your rehab. How serious were the injuries?
Pretty bad. I broke my back and neck. And my skull, where the spine joins the head. A really bad injury. But I'm so glad it's not worse. The problem was that I was spun round on my own axis on impact. So I fell backwards onto the ground and my head really hammered into the earth. It was a big impact and a really unfavourable position for a fall.
What do the doctors say?
The prognosis is good, it should go back to the way it was before. I'm really lucky. I had to wear a neck brace for a few months. It held my head down. That was a tough time, but I've got rid of the brace now. I can now train in the gym again.
What did your siblings Rachel and Dan have to say about the action, or even better: your parents?
Ha ha, they obviously weren't thrilled. They have an allergic reaction every time I set off on a rampage or do something risky. But hey, when you take a risk, there's always the danger that something will go wrong. That's the nature of risk. This time I was just unlucky. I made a small mistake that had big consequences.
The Rampage is predestined for this.
At an event like the Rampage, your nerves are on edge, you're in full throttle mode, you're under steam - and that's enough to make you jump off a little too quickly.
Gee, you're a tough dog. You've proven that countless times. But Red Bull Hardline, Rampage, a risky episode of your Rigdeline series - all in one year and immediately after your last serious injury - what's wrong with you, are you having a midlife crisis?
Nope, nope. Don't worry. I've been like this my whole bike career. I haven't changed. I have to push myself to my limits. That's just the way I am. Of course, I could have concentrated fully on racing. But I've always been interested in stunts, building crazy stuff, events like the Hardline or Rampage and crazy film projects. The elements have always been in my life. Yes, sometimes that brings injuries with it, but that's the way it is.
And even such nasty injuries can't change your attitude? But you've had enough of the Rampage now.
No, not at all. I love this event. And I want to take part again. I'm looking forward to being out there in the desert with the guys, building, riding. The Rampage summarises what I like to do on a bike.
Your parents will go crazy when they hear that.
I don't tell them. (laughs)
You're a beast when it comes to getting fit again, training hard, putting a fall behind you. What is particularly challenging?
My heart gets heavy when everyone is off to exciting projects, events or flying to New Zealand to go biking and I have to stay at home. That's hard. Being at home in winter and only having the gym and appointments with the physiotherapist. It's hard to motivate yourself. I tell myself every time: only if you train now will you get back on your bike soon. That helps.
What does your everyday life look like right now?
Every day is different. But my main goal is to get my neck flexible again and strengthen it. But I also need to strengthen the rest of my body. That sounds crazy, but I'm still suffering from old injuries from previous falls. I still need to get to grips with those too. The last few years have been tough.
What all hurts when you swing your legs out of bed in the morning?
It works without pain. My body heals very quickly and I do everything I can to support it. I make sure I get enough sleep and recovery periods and eat a healthy diet.
Nothing pinches or tweaks?
Of course it pinches and tweaks, and I'm sometimes stiff and awkward. But the body is an incredible machine. I don't want to grow old without having exhausted what this insane machine is capable of.
You are a training expert. What are your top 3 exercises for staying fit on the bike?
That's not easy to answer. Biking is best for biking. Dynamic full-body exercises are great in the gym. And very important: don't always do the same thing. Change the programme at least every six weeks and challenge your body again and again.
What are your plans for 2024 or is it still too early for that?
It's still a bit early. I'll only be able to tell when I'm back on the bike. I'm keen to work on film projects and I'd be delighted if I could be back at the Red Bull Hardline in Wales.
This year there is even a second event in Tasmania.
The Hardline in Tasmania at the end of February is a test to see whether the format can be transferred to other countries. We've been thinking about this with Red Bull for some time now. The track in Wales is unique. It's not easy to replicate something like this in another country. It would be great if the Hardline were to become a series.
Doesn't that clash - World Cup and Hardline Series? In other words: too much risk for the Worldcuppers to take part in both. And a Hardline without Bernard Kerr or Jackson Goldstone would be boring.
I don't see any difference. The Hardline is no riskier than a World Cup. And the drivers are keen on the Hardline format. I don't think there will be any conflicts.
Is there suicide tourism in Wales? Amateur freeriders trying out the stunts of the Hardline?
Laughs. No, there are no problems with that at all. There are many people who tell us that they would like to try some of the stunts. But when they see the big acts on site, they say: No fucking way!
They say the Hardline is more successful than the Downhill World Cup?
Yes, that's true. And has been for years. Above all, all the social media interest.
What about you and the Downhill World Cup?
I raced one last year. I love the World Cup. But don't pin me down, I first have to see how fit and strong I can get again.
Your bike brand Atherton-Bikes is celebrating its 5th anniversary. You should have all your eggs in one basket.
Do you want to send me into retirement? I would never want that. I'm not in it for the money at all. Nothing I've ever done has been for money. I do it all because I love it. It fulfils me. Doing something for money is the wrong motivation.
Is there anything you've missed out on in life with all this biking? What's on your bucket list - learning to play the girtarre, fly fishing in Scotland, becoming a helicopter pilot?
None of that. When I look back, I regret not having ridden more Hardlines. Or every Rampage in the last 20 years. Or more film projects. I have the feeling that I haven't done enough.
When you look back on your career, what moments would you like to relive?
I would love to go back in time to the week before the Rampage final last year. That was one of the most fun weeks of my life. I was out in the desert biking, jumping big gaps, building jumps and stunts with my friends. It was so exciting. If I could press a button and be there, I would press that button.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
