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We're big Gee Atherton fans here at Vital. The British badass, while plagued by injury last year, has been crushing it on the World Cup downhill circuit for years, and often in the face of adversity or injury. He takes some of the gnarliest slams only to shake off the dust (when it's safe to do so) and pin it on race day. His focus and grit is almost unparalleled in the sport.

When Trek Factory Racing announced their sponsor list last week, we were excited to see the bikes up close and get some rundown on the new spec. Hope, Renthal, MRP and WTB now help round out their race packages. Though Gee finished out the 2017 season on the Session 29er, his early-season routine has him on the 27.5. Will that stick for World Cup time? We're not sure, but regardless, the Sessions for Trek Factory Racing are blinging.

Gee says, "I'm most particular about suspension and cockpit. I make changes to my suspension on every track and every set of conditions to make the feel of the bike consistent no matter what else is going on. We work with the technicians from FOX to make the tiny adjustments necessary to get the most from the bike on every run. I like my suspension firm, with the front always slightly firmer than the rear because I ride quite far off the back. My cockpit always needs to feel exactly the same. At any race we’ll have spare cockpits already set up. If I crash, we can change out the assembled bar / stem / brake levers set-up and not waste time making adjustments."