(Photos © Yorick Carroux)

British cyclists are on fire right now. Gee Atherton has won the Crankworx Monster Energy Garbanzo DH race in Whistler, BC in what is described as one of the longest and most gruelling DH courses on the calendar.

Each competitor had just one run on a course that drops 3,400ft from top to bottom, taking in some of the most challenging terrain in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. With some of the world’s best riders, including Sam Hill, Brit Gee Artherton pieced together the perfect run to take the win.

“We practiced on dry trails well before the race, so when the rain came, it changed everything,” said Gee Atherton. “You had to pick new lines and just go for it.”

Gee Atherton held off finger cramp on the demanding course and finished first with a time of 14:20.4, with Sam Hill finishing in 14:37.8. Another Brit, Marc Beaumont rounded out the top three with a run of 14.44.6. Dan Atherton finished fourth, completing the British domination of the event.

Second placed Sam Hill said: “This was not an easy track to begin with and the weather made it even tougher. I had a crash in the middle of the course and one of my shoes came off, I had to stay strong and keep motivated to make up the time.”

The British domination was equally impressive in the woman’s event, with Rachel Atherton finishing ahead of fellow Brit Fionn Griffiths. Canada’s Denise Uyesuqi completed the podium.

“This course is like three times as long as what I’m use to on the world cup”, said Rachel Atherton. “You really need to stay focused on such a long, hard course.”

Results

Men

• 1. Gee Atherton 14:20.4
• 2. Sam Hill 14:37.8
• 3. Marc Beaumon 14:44.6
• 4.Dan Atherton 14:50.0
  

  Women

• 1. Rachel Atherton 16:48.9
• 2. Fionn Griffiths 17:25.1
• 3. Danice Uyesugi 18:32.7
  

  Watch the race