World championship winning red, white and blue bike
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Atherton has already ridden to World Cup domination on this bike: will it bring her the World Championships as well?(Image credit: Sven Martin)
Rachel Atherton proudly displays her custom-painted GT Fury World Cup, her bike for the 2015 World Championships at Vallnord, Andorra(Image credit: Sven Martin)
Bedecked in a custom paint job inspired by the Union Jack flag, Atherton has faith that this bike will take her to victory in Vallnord(Image credit: Sven Martin)
The Atherton Racing logo takes pride of place on the seatstays(Image credit: Sven Martin)
Number plate safely in place on those Pro Tharsis 9.8 45mm 760mm bars(Image credit: Sven Martin)
There's nothing quite like having your name emblazoned on your Hope seat post collar (Image credit: Sven Martin)
Rachel Atherton dominated the World Cup series over 2015, taking wins at six of the seven rounds and gaining the World Cup Champion title in the process. She looks on unstoppable form, and next in her sights are the World Championships in Vallnord, Andorra.
Atherton is looking to add a third World Championship title to her already impressive palmeres, and she'll be riding her tried and trusted GT Fury World Cup DH bike, but with a special custom paint job in red, white and blue. Vallnord has seen an Atherton victory back in 2008, when she took the top spot on the podium in a year that also saw her take the overall World Cup Champion title for the first time.
GT Factory Racing was one of the DH teams to switch to 27.5 wheel size in 2014, and going by riders' results in 2015 the change clearly hasn't had a detrimental effect. GTFR's rigorous approach to testing, where each tweak to the bike is tested, recorded and compared, allows them to accurately work out the optimal set up for each rider, and the varying race courses and conditions. However, it's a secretive system as James Huang discovered in 2014.
Although Atherton's height of 173cm puts her in the size medium frame range for the retail versions of the Fury World Cup, she rides a custom sized frame that measures up between the medium and large retail versions.
Apart from the red, white and blue livery for this special edition version, the main updates for the 2015 version of the GT Fury occur in the suspension. The Fox RAD of 2014 is replaced by the new Fox DHX2, 425lbs spring shock, which isn't available to us mere mortals until 2016. On the front end, an improved airspring version of the Fox 40 Float RC2 is tuned to 68psi.
"I'm so stoked with my new GB flag Fury," Atherton said. "It looks amazing, but more importantly I know that underneath she's just the same brilliant bike that has helped me and held me all season – gonna need her this weekend in the mud!"
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Complete bike specifications Frame: GT Fury, custom sized Paint: Red, white and blue Shock: Fox DHX2 425lbs spring (available 2016) Fork: Fox 40 Float RC2 , with improved airspring 68psi Stem: Pro Tharsis 9.8 45mm Headset: Hope Integrated Grips: Pro Star Series Bars: Pro Tharsis 9.8 45mm 760mm Front brake: Shimano Saint BR-M820 w/ 203mm RT98 rotor Rear brake: Shimano Saint BR-M820 w/ 203mm RT98 rotor Brake levers: Shimano Saint BL-M820 Chain guide: Shimano Saint SMCD-50 Rear derailleur: Shimano Saint RD-M820 Shift levers: Shimano Saint SL-M820 Cassette: Shimano Saint CS-M980, 11-13-15-17-19-21t Chain: Shimano Saint CH-M981 Crankset: Shimano Saint FD-M820, 165mm, 38t Bottom bracket: Shimano SM-BB80 Pedals: Crankbrothers Mallet DH Race Rims: Stan's NoTubes Flow EX, 32h Hubs: Shimano Saint HB-M820 and FH-M825, 32h Spokes: stainless steel, butted, 2x lacing, w/ alloy nipples Front tire: Continental DerKaiser Project, 27.5 x 2.4in, tubeless, 25psi Rear tire: Continental DerKaiser Project, 27.5 x 2.4in, tubeless, 25psi Saddle: Pro Tharsis 9.8 carbon Seatpost: Pro Tharsis 9.8 carbon Other accessories: Hope seat post collar
Aoife loves a bike-based adventure, whether it’s out in the mountains on her MTB or exploring new places by road or gravel. She’s tested a LOT of bikes and kit, and is passionate about making cycling accessible for everyone. After all, it’s much more fun with friends, right?
Bikes currently owned: Juliana Maverick, Liv Devote
