Video: The Winner's Circle at Downieville Classic - An Event Nothing Short Of Legendary

Feb 15, 2023
by Giant Bicycles  

Words: Giant Bicycles

You could say that mountain biking put Downieville on the map. Over the past quarter century, this sleepy mountain town in a remote zone of California's Sierra Nevada range has hosted an event that’s nothing short of legendary.

The Downieville Classic is an annual two-day event combining an old-school, point-to-point XC race and a white-knuckle DH race that plunges 5000 vertical feet in 15 miles. Put them together, and you have the All-Mountain World Championships. It’s not sanctioned by the UCI, or anyone else for that matter, but mountain bikers know: This is the ultimate test to determine the best all-around rider.

For the past decade plus, Giant Factory Off-Road Team riders have been regulars on the podium. Adam Craig, Carl Decker and Stephan Davoust have won 7 of the last 11 editions. Due to the pandemic, the Downieville Classic has been dormant since 2019. But this year it’s back. So, it seemed like a good time for Adam, Carl and Stephan to get together and reminisce.

Click here to read the full story, told by five-time Downieville All-Mountain Champ Carl Decker.

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Adam Craig, 2009 Downieville All-Mountain Champion
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Carl Decker, 2010-2014 Downieville All-Mountain Champion
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Stephan Davoust, 2019 Downieville All-Mountain Champion

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Carl en route to his third straight Downieville title in 2012. Jake Orness photo

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Adam (left) and Carl at the 2016 Downieville Classic. Teammates, friends, competitors.

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Stephan (left) and Carl ahead of Stephan's win at the last edition of the Downieville Classic in 2019.

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31 Comments
  • 25 0
 I actually enjoyed that more than some "Must Watch" videos. It was beautifully shot and really summed up what mountain biking is for me, it felt completely old school in thoroughly modern way.
  • 14 0
 glad to hear it will be back this year! despite the amount of vertical drop, the trail is remarkably pedal-y. even though it is the most fun to ride on an enduro rig, the fastest riders are almost always on shortish travel rigs.
  • 3 0
 That's why it's "allmountain title'
  • 1 0
 Haha what trail are these guys actually riding that this kind of elevation can be pedally? Sincere question. I'd love to look it up.
  • 8 1
 $349 entry fee this year. I'm glad I did this race back when if was a cool grassroots kind of gig.
  • 4 0
 @cougar797: the downhill portion of the classic runs a slightly different (and shorter) route than what most riders would do if they were dropping in for a lap from packer saddle back to town. there are obviously lots of places where you're coasting downhill, plus one actual climb of a few hundred vertical feet to regain some lost elevation, but you do spend a lot of time pedaling. i guess it is hard to describe but you should check it out some time if you cant. it is SO FUN
  • 1 0
 @twonsarelli: I might be out in that area of the world this fall. I normally travel with a dh bike but have thought about making this a trail bike trip instead. Hence the ask. Thanks bud.
  • 4 4
 @not16: I bet you made less money then, and gas was cheaper, and food was cheaper... It's also one of the largest fundraisers for SBTS and this week alone during the classic supports the businesses for the year.
  • 6 0
 @cougar797: definitely bring a trail bike if you can. If not we rent bikes here in town. Check out Downieville Outfitters.
  • 3 0
 @cougar797: i actually did a couple shuttle laps on my V10 back in the day when my other bike was busted. it is ridiculously fun on a DH bike, just more work. i would almost recommend it unless it is easy enough to ride something else that's more pedal friendly.
  • 2 0
 @cougar797:


So Downieville is rad. But there’s also a fair bit of pedaling, including some small hills.

I would recommend trail/ enduro bikes.

Also this area is building a huge network of new trails that will connect all the towns up there.

One of my favorite places to ride, I look forward to heading back up there this summer.

Also: Downieville is the reason that the Nomad was created.
  • 2 0
 @cougar797: It's a really long descent dropping nearly 5k ft with several climbs and some flat-ish sections that require putting down the hammer if you are trying to be fast. Classic trail but super different to what I started riding later in life in WA and BC. Try to get back every few years to ride it. The climb at the start of the race would make me puke.
  • 1 0
 @cougar797: I've run the standard shuttle route on a DH bike (full cassette, not a wee 7-speed) and it's totally doable. You'll stand and sprint for a few short climbs and suffer on just one of them which isn't a long walk if you have to hoof it. An enduro is better, but I'd actually choose the DH over XC for overall fun factor and staying fresh enough to do multiple shuttles in a day.
  • 14 1
 Great to see riders from Giant, but Mark Weir is one of the kings of Downieville!!!!!!
  • 5 0
 Yeah...no mention of legend Mark Weir? Bizarre...
  • 3 0
 @FreshKirk: he never won the allmountain. Just destroyed the DH race for years. 2008 was the last year you could race dh only.
  • 11 0
 Sierra Buttes is something else, if you have not been there, do yourself a favor and get out there!
  • 4 4
 if you havent been there, keep it that way Wink
  • 7 0
 I remember the first time Adam came to town in 2008 only brought his Moto. Came back next year and smoked everybody. Was good to catch up with him and Carl when they filmed this in October last year.
  • 6 0
 Minaar got 12th. he probably did it blind but i feel like that's the best testament to the physicality/endurance needed for the dh race. wild
  • 4 0
 He didn’t do it blind but only had a couple practice runs. Ride one with him that year. I’m a local and got 30th in pro in 2010. Hardest race I have ever done. Did a 50 min dh run there was 4 min separating the top 30.
  • 5 0
 What a great race. My wife and I did the downhill in '96. Yeah we are old. Went back in '11 on vacation and did the shuttle. So much fun.
  • 5 0
 You could also say that gold put Downieville on the map. Check out the museum while you are there and be sure to respect the stop signs.
  • 3 0
 Just what I needed to watch! I have an entry for this years race (2020 carry over) and am currently planning all the logistics, not going to be a cheap trip but this race has been on my bucket list for years, Cannot wait Smile
  • 6 0
 These kind of dudes inspire me. Good all around, fit riders.
  • 4 0
 Couple of the best dudes right there! Loved this one.
  • 4 0
 These dudes rip!
  • 3 0
 So Good!
  • 1 0
 Cool race for sure, 15 mile DH is something us east coasters could only dream of.
  • 1 0
 Great short video of of just good ol mountain biking with friends.
  • 2 0
 No Mark weir?????







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