Santisimo Downhill 2016, Cusco

Santisimo Downhill means something half hay between Sacred and Blessed DH and is one of the most iconic races for Peru and South America, the same Valparaiso Cerro Abajo is for Chile, Open Shimano for Argentina or Santos for Brazil. This past April 24th the 8th edition of this race was held in a new location inside the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Huayllabamba (Cusco, Peru) a place gifted with trails perfect for MTB.

Huayllabamba is located next to the Vilcanota River at 9400 feet (2,800 m) over sea level. This town is known as "The World's Capital of the Giant Corn".

This road takes you to the start at 11,150 feet (3,400 m) over seal level.

It´s all about corn.

Spanish many times is a second language as most locals speak Quechua and has always been the main language in the whole Sacred Valley.

The trail was completely worked by mountain bikers and local people from the communities nearby.

Colors change as the sun sets behind the Andes.

Cristobal Cilloniz from Peru had a DNF after a big crash and a broken collar bone.

Siwar Monteagudo from Cusco, Peru, rips the berms and takes the win for Juniors.

Pablo Seewald from Argentina clears the Fox road gap with ease.

The last part of the trail got real loose.

Not being able to find your bike after a crash is just part of racing the Santisimo DH.

Enduro Bikes was one of the nine categories to pick from.

Alejandro Paz, Peruvian National Champ applying his knowledge on the race course.

Riders from 9 different countries were here to fight for the title. Pablo Noriega from Argentina spreads some love and some dust after spending several days driving to get here.

Luciano de Neufville also spend several days driving with some friends to get to Cusco from their hometown Quito, Ecuador. How could they miss it!?

Bolivian National Champ, Yanick Wende making his way to 7th place.

Sebastian Alfaro is Peru´s best young gun, he ended 6th at the 2014 Wolrd Champs as a Junior. This is his first year in Elite and finished only 1.8 seconds from the lead with a rear flat tire too, he almost had it.

Mario Jarrin from Ecuador has won once, he came back for the 2x title but only made it to 4th place.

Mauricio Acuña from Chile did an outstanding run finishing 3rd only 1 second away from the win with a flat tire the last 20% of the race course.

Alejo Ortiz from Ecuador has been Continental Champion as a Junior back in 2005. He was only 0.041 seconds away from the win finishing in 2nd.

Pedro Ferreira from Chile gets the win again after 4 years. He has matched Filip Polc, and this guys are the only 2 riders that have won Santisimo DH 2x.

Elite Men´s podium with some of the local authorities like the Mayor.

This old Pisonay tree at the Huayllabamba main square, has been witness of the first of many Santisimo DH races that will take place at this blessed land.

Textures and colors captured after the award ceremony.

Cusco is such a gifted place for MTBiking, many riders from different countries find Santisimo DH the right time of their life to get to know Cusco and Peru, others just make it part of their annual calendar. The whole MTB community is invited to be part of it! The race has come to an end for 2016 but will start working on the 2017 edition, stayed tuned at www.santisimodh.com