RACHEL Atherton will compete in the 2022 UCI World Cup and World Championship seventh round in Austria this weekend.

The Llangynog star arrived in Lenzerheide in Switzerland ahead of the seventh round race this week,

Atherton has announced her comeback as part of the recently expanded Continental-Atherton Racing team.

The multiple World champion seriously injured her Achille tendon during the Les Gets World Cup and spent the following months trying to get back to full fitness.

Last August she also became a mother to Arna.

Atherton said: "Getting back to the races is a huge driver, to be on the podium again would be the dream.

"I feel amazing on the bike but the strength and fitness are coming a bit more slowly.

"I thought this would be the easiest World Cup to try but some fresh sections are looking pretty hard.

"I am nervous, excited, scared, excited, tired, happy, relaxed all at once. It’s good to be back at a race."

The Continental-Atherton Racing still features founding members Dan and Gee Atherton.

Dan continues to mentor the team and develop the Dyfi Bike Park while Gee is making rehab progress after a crash last year.

"A very last minute decision to come out & see if I can race," she added.