Costa Rica: Central American Downhill Championship

Costa Rica: The land of the Mae and Pura Vida


The Central American downhill championship was held in Costa Rica, the land of the 'mae' and the 'pura vida'. Some of us know the legendary family behind the best downhill stories at Costa Rica: Familia Castillo, which is Roberto 'Teto' Castillo & Carlos Castillo.


Carlos has been calling every Latin American country in order to make an official 'Central American Championship'; not an easy job to put on such an international event, although I have to say the effort was totally fulfilled with great riders from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua & Costa Rica: the first official Central American Championship.






Big gaps, berms, muddy tires and lots of rain were part of the amazing race held in 'Senderos de Colón'. Nature, as it is well-known in Costa Rica, played a big part of the scenery on this track: awesome views and perfect sunsets were part of this place, although there was no evening it did not rain, the track remained safe and cool every day of the event and everyone, except for the DJ, enjoyed A LITTLE the hard rain that was cast upon us daily after 1 pm.







So who's the best? Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua... maybe that's an unanswered question for Pinkbike users, and even though an international poll was held I think none of us Latin Americans would dare to answer: The best part of this is that we all play a familiar role in downhill, we know that maybe we don't (yet) have a rider to conquer the world championship... Our closest representative, as Latin Americans, would be Marcelo Gutierrez & Colombia is not even considered Central America...That's why we work together in order to make things happen, in order to make this grow.




The podium was full of 'ticos'... which means Costa Rican riders:

·1st place ' Teto Castillo'
·2nd place 'Alvaro Hidalgo'
·3rd place 'Carlos Castillo'

As for the ladies, the first place goes to an impressive little girl that's jumping all the big jumps and gaps.. her name is Maria Jose Montoya, from Honduras. I know she'll be in the top 10 of the World, so don´t lose track of her!



The Central American Championship is a representation of hope and togetherness: Carlos Castillo made a big effort for us to enjoy this track, for us to keep on trying our best to enjoy this international sport we call downhill.


This is how we keep Latin America alive...


'Pura Vida' everyone!

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MENTIONS: @edgarhurtado

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