Atherton secures national title

Atherton is defending his 2008 downhill mountain-biking world title

Gee Atherton was in sparkling form to take the GB downhill mountain-biking title, finishing a significant 2.5 seconds ahead of a strong field.

Atherton was determined to win at Innerleithen in Scotland after crashing out close to the finish in 2008.

"It's a prestigious event, with a lot of fast guys there," he told BBC Radio Shropshire. "It's a big one to win."

Atherton now boasts both the national jersey as well as the rainbow one he holds as the current world champion.

"The timing of this win is perfect as we're entering the last half of the race season, so I'm even hungrier for success," said the Oswestry-based biker.

The world is obviously the big one, but the way the calendar has fallen you have to be on the gas all year

Gee Atherton

The man who pipped him last year - Sheffield's Steve Peat - crashed out this time, leaving Atherton to beat the rest of the field at Innerleithen for the title.

And after the British event, Atherton was straight onto a plane for Canada in the latest round to defend his world title.

"The world is obviously the big one, but the way the calendar has fallen you have to be on the gas all year," he added.

Atherton's brother Dan returned to action in Scotland after recovering from a shoulder injury, but sister Rachel - the 2008 women's world champion - is still unable to ride after being knocked off her bike by a truck while training earlier this year.