Is Atherton joining the race for the €100,000 Belted Purse?

When Atherton bikes ‘leaked’ an image of Charlie Hatton on a prototype, the world of MTB punters exploded with speculation. With the caption, “something is missing,” Rachel Atherton’s comment suggested that Hatton was missing valve caps. But the missing item is obvious; there’s no derailleur. Which can only mean one thing; a gear box.

Further internet theories sugest this looks like a Pinion gearbox, the same system used by Garbux in the past.

Gates €100K Belted Purse

Gates is a global leader in belt-driven solutions. They announced in 2024 a €100,000 prize for the first elite racer to claim a UCI mountain bike downhill world cup win on a belt-driven bike. And if no one snagged the win in 2024, the prize would roll over to 2025. So the race is on.

Why a belt drive?

Gear boxes have only been legal in UCI races since 2023, with Gamux Factory Racing being one of the first teams to take advantage of the evolving technology.

Unlike traditional chain-and-derailleur systems, belt-driven setups, paired with a gearbox, promises some serious performance advantages:

Better handling: By shifting mass to the center of the bike and reducing unsprung weight on the rear wheel, belt-driven systems give riders greater control and balance.
Smoother suspension performance: Lower unsprung mass means the rear suspension can do its job better, reducing rebound forces and keeping the bike planted on the trail.

For downhill racers pushing the limits of their bikes and bodies, even small improvements in handling and reliability could mean the difference between winning and losing.

The team

Winning DH races takes a combination of rider and technology. Nothing is guaranteed in downhill and with Andreas Kolb moving to the YT Mob, the current team may only feature Dom Platt. A guy whose best result in 2024 was 16th. Whether they’re adding more members to their team or not is yet to be seen.

What about Rachel?

Rachel Atherton was the most recent Atherton family member with a world cup win. Back in 2023, she shocked the MTB world by winning at Lenzerheide in June, 2023. Post-baby. Keen-eyed speculators spotted her behind the scenes at a Red Bull training event with world champion Evie Richards. Could Rachel be coming out of retirement for a couple races, simply to chase the €100,000 prize?