The name Atherton is well known in the sports world, as it has produced three award winning professional mountain bikers. Brothers Dan and Gee, along with their sister Rachel, have all proven themselves to be some of the best cyclists in the world. All three were born near Salisbury, England, and are part of the Animal Commençal Racing Team.

Rachel Atherton was born December 6, 1987 and began cycling at the age of eight. Since then she has gone on to win many distinguished awards. In 2005 she was voted Sunday Times' Sportswoman of the Year and BBC Midlands’ Sportswoman of the Year - a title she won again in 2008. In June 2008 Rachel Atherton won the Elite UCI Downhill World Championship, becoming the first British woman to do so.

Gee Atherton was born February 26, 1985 and is a national champion, multiple World Cup winner, and 2008 downhill World Champion. His brother Dan, who was born January 25, 1982, is the eldest of the three siblings and also has distinguished himself in the cycling world. He has won the national championship multiple times, and won a World Cup in 2008.