Shropshire border-based mountain biker Gee Atherton has added the National Downhill Mountain Bike crown to his UCI Downhill World Championship title.

The race, which took place in Scotland, is the biggest domestic event in the mountain bike calendar.

Gee, who lives at  Llangynog near Oswestry, won the race by a clear 2.5 seconds – a significant time in downhill racing terms.

Downhill mountain biking is an individual cycling discipline which involves riders racing down steep terrain from top to bottom often reaching speeds of up to 50mph.

This year’s race was a change in fortune for Atherton from the 2008 event  where he crashed on the second to last corner to lose out to fellow UK rider Steve Peat.

Gee now boasts both the national jersey as well as the Rainbow one he holds as the current UCI Downhill World Champion.

Gee, who last won the event in 2004, said: “I was really fired up for the race after missing out last year due to a crash.

“The National Championships is a prestigious event proven by the quality of riders that attend the race.

“All the top British riders were present and it’s very much an ‘all or nothing’ weekend as no one wants second place – so to win is a big achievement.

“The timing of this win is perfect as we’re entering into the last half of the race season, so I’m even hungrier for success in the final races and this is also a great step towards defending my World Championship title.”

Gee is currently placed fourth in the UCI rankings and within clear sight of the top spot.

The National victory is ideal preparation as team Animal Commencal head to Canada for the final two rounds of the UCI Nissan World Cup Series and then onto the World Championships in Australia (1-6 September).

Along with brother Dan (27) and sister Rachel (21), Gee rides for professional mountain bike team Animal Commencal, who are widely known for being the fastest family on two wheels.