Rachel Atherton – Pursuing Perfection
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Watch how to become the perfect champion. Rachel Atherton’s perfect year has captured the hearts of everyone in mountain biking and has earned her a place among the elite of DH professionals. We salute you, Rachel! Huge, huge congratulations.
Being perfect is hard work. Remaining completely focused every time you pin on your race numbers. Memorizing the flow of practice runs so you can nail your race run. Stayed disciplined enough not to get distracted by the carnival atmosphere at every World Cup. Avoiding punctures and mechanical issues. Continuing that winning run race after race after race. Rachel Atherton has been pursuing such perfection all season.
With this World Championship win Rachel completes a remarkable achievement, a flawless record in seven World Cup races this season and now the rainbow stripes on her jersey. Together with last season’s run of victories that gives Rachel a winning run that stretches for 13 world cup wins.
“I keep myself busy trying not to think about having the perfect season … every race a new race… focussing… stay on your routine. After that first win at the first World Cup it gives you a lot of confidence but I never imagined that I’d win every world cup in the year. It’s crazy. Every race I think some bad luck must happen, I’m going to run out of luck. I’ll crash or puncture or something will snap on my bike. Every race it was perfect, it was amazing.”
– Rachel Atherton
All year she won everything she could. Lighting up the Downhill World Cup, winning every race and dominating the overall classification. But still there was one more goal; the World Championships. Winning the rainbow jersey would make Rachel Atherton’s already amazing season truly perfect.
In this mini documentary we follow the British downhill star in her pursuit of perfection in Val di Sole, Italy. After an emotional season full of wins, she is determined to extend her world title with one last blazing fast run down the Black Snake.
Special thanks to the UCI, Red Bull Media House and Trek Factory Racing team for their cooperation creating this documentary.