GT Bicycles and Atherton Racing Part Ways

To say that it's been a good four years a bit of an understatement, but all good things must come to an end as the saying goes. Atherton Racing and GT Bicycles are parting ways, paving the way for new adventures. Best of luck to both parties from us here at Vital!

Check out the statements from GT and Atherton Racing below for more:

GT Press Release:

In 2012, GT Bicycles Factory Racing partnered with Atherton Racing. It’s been an incredible four years with the whole team. Together with the GT Product Team, GT Factory Racing developed world class products that have been proven on the world stage.

The results speak for themselves. With over 50 World Cup podiums, 3 World Championships, and 3 World Cup overall titles, the team proved that the partnership between GT Bicycles and Atherton Racing was unstoppable.

“It’s never with pleasure that we have to announce the end of a partnership,” said Tim Inall, Global General Manager for GT. “However, knowing that together, both parties have accomplished so much over the years, and that we are moving forward on good terms leaves GT feeling proud to have been associated with such a successful racing program.”

Thanks for an amazing four years it’s been a hell of a ride! See you at the races.

#AthertonFarewell

Atherton Racing Press Release:

As you may have seen on social media this morning it’s time for us to move on and work with a new bike partner after 4 awesome years with GT.

We have loved being part of the GT family and we’ll and we’ll always be immensely proud of what we achieved together, especially our work developing both the GT Fury and the Sanction, two brilliant bikes that carried us to some great results.

During our 4 years as GT Factory Racing we took 3 Downhill World Championships, and a Junior Enduro World Championship for Martin, 3 World Cup Overalls, over 20 World Cup wins and more than 50 World Cup podiums, and we had a brilliant time doing it.

Team Director Dan Brown said “I know I speak for all of us when I say how much we’ll miss working with the guys at GT, it’s been a hell of a ride.”

Dan Atherton said “I designed the Sanction to race and the team at GT supported me all the way. I’m stoked to have been part of the making of such a rad bike. We’ll all miss working with GT but we’re all about progressing our sport, change might be uncomfortable to think about but it’s what drives us forward, we wish the GT team the very best.”

Gee: “Massive thanks to GT for a great 4 years both on and off the bike, we achieved a lot together and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more from them in the coming seasons.”

Rach: “I just want to say a huge thank you to the company that carried me to 2 World Championships and 3 World Cup Overalls. GT opened my eyes to the women’s specific market, they designed my first ever women specific colourway and basically made me smile every time I rode my bike. Their support for all of us has been incredible and so GT Bicycles will always have a special place in my heart; the memories that we created together will stay with me forever. Good luck guys.”