The Atherton (Animal Comencal) brother and sister team were the winners of the first race of the Maxxis Cup International 2008, which took place in Gouveia (Portugal). Gee Atherton won by 4 seconds and Rachel by over 8 seconds!!!. Dan took a solid 2nd place behind his brother. Cedric “the entertainer” Gracia has fought back from a potentially career ending wrist injury in 2007 to start the 2008 season off with a huge 3rd place.

Last weekend saw 430 participants competing in the first race of this Championship Series. Among them were some of the best riders of all over the world like the Atherton siblings (Gee, Dan and Rachel), Marc Beaumont (Bike Radar), Brendan Fairclough (Monster Energy), Cedric Gracia (F.C.O), Mickael Pasckal (MSC Bikes), the Spanish Ivan Oulego and Pascual Canals (Massi), Bernat Guardia (MSC Bikes), Helen Gaskill (Team Halfords Bikehut)

full results here:

http://www.fullevent.com/cont/images/stories/Gouveia08/final_cat_gouveia.pdf

official timers sheet
http://www.dirtmag.co.uk/images/uploads/news/dan_brown_results.jpg

Maxxis cup #1 results

Elite men.

1. Gee Atherton - Commencal
2. Dan Atherton - Commencal
3. Cedric Gracia - Commencal
4. Ben Cathro
5. Bernaud Gardia

Elite Women

1. Rach Atherton - Commencal
2. Helen Gaskill
3. Katy Curd
4. Aimee Dix

source: Peter Appleton, Commencal Canada