The newly formed Animal Commencal team will be looking forward to much success in 2007 and beyond with three of Britain’s hottest DH riders, Dan, Gee and Rachel Atherton, signed up. The team will pilot the Madison distributed Commencal Supreme DH Team bikes kitted out with plenty of Shimano components, DT Swiss wheels and Fox forks.

Madison holds firm belief they are investing in future World Champions and as such have committed to give the guys their fullest support for at least the next three years. As soon as the Commencal distribution deal was completed, Atherton Racing was identified as the last piece of the jigsaw to take the Andorran bicycle brand to the next level.

The other piece of the jigsaw is Animal, the brand with which the Athertons have been involved with since 2002. The long serving Animal brand is celebrating their tenth birthday, and to commemorate have designed some special kit for the team, taking inspiration from Animal’s original zebra stripe Velcro watch strap of 1987.

To complete the look Animal’s design department has generated the entire team look including the Animal Commencal logo and bike decals. Over the forth coming weeks expect to see all new team truck designs, Dan Atherton’s helmet, posters and post cards.

Animal sponsorship manager Steve Kitchin (founder of the Animal Mountain bike team in 1995) added: “Dan, Gee and Rachel joined the Animal program in 2002 as juniors, over the last four years they have taken the Animal team to a new level of International competition performance and freeride action. The Animal Commencal team is a perfect partnership and we look forward to moving into future with the Atherton’s in what promises to be their greatest years so far”.

Look out for the team at the UCI World Cup, International freeride events and UK race circuit. Follow their progress at www.animal.co.uk and www.animalcommencal.com