Discipline, professionalism, dedication and commitment are all words you can use to describe Rachel Atherton’s approach to mountain biking.

Rachel has been racing all her life. She entered her first race, a BMX event, aged eight, and her first mountain bike event aged 11. That means she’s been racing for more than two thirds of her life so far.

Her drive and determination in the face of injury is inspirational, and her stellar performance in the 2013 season, winning both the World Cup Series Champion and World Champion titles, represents the pinnacle of a sporting career already studded with achievement.

Rachel’s profile, sporting achievements and hard work have also brought her wider mainstream recognition, and she was shortlisted for the illustrious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, and won the Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year Award.