Been stalking the Athertons today, mainly because they were actually the only ones around. More stalking tomorrow. Here’s some news and pics:

No official word from the team but it looks like they are running Continental tyres this year, 2.5 Kaisers and 2.5 Rainkings both with Kevlar beading. Not sure if Conti do a mud tyre yet so the Sharpies may come out if it rains alot.

First there was one Absolut Ti, now there are two. Gee is riding one as well as brother Dan. I think the only change to the previous version is a 12mm bolt thru axle.

First riding prototypes of the signature stems the Athertons have been working on with Shimano. Also available will be bars,seatpost, saddle and grips. Team manager Dan Brown won’t tell me too much more apart from they’ll be launched at Eurobike with some top notch graphics.

Animal Commencal bike news from World Cup 1 at Pietermaritzburg with Gee and Dan Atherton