Two weeks after I had the privilege of capturing some of South America's best riders compete against the likes of Filip Polc, Cedric Gracia, and Greg Minaar in one of the craziest urban race in Santos, Brazil, I re-packed my bags and boarded my flight out of Boston to once again witness the craziest bike event you'll ever lay your eyes on, the infamous Valparaiso Cerro Abajo urban downhill race.
After Polc's Undead frame had issue clearing customs in Brazil, the frame logged some additional frequent flyer miles and made its way to Boston, arriving only a few hours before my flight. I had the stressful task of flying with a one-of-a-kind frame, but thankfully luck was on our side this time and the frame made it safe.
Along with a new frame, Filip had a fresh new jersey to don.
Valparaiso is one of the worlds largest port cities in the Americas, home to some amazing scenery. Even more impressive is the mind blowing graffiti you are greeted with as you turn every corner.
Stairs. Stairs. More stairs. The teeth jarring concrete stairs on the right, and the newly constructed pedestrian wooden stairs on the left. For raceday, the lefthand guardrail was removed to give riders some much needed clearance.
Shutting down busy streets in a city is never an easy task. The unsung heroes of the Cerro Abajo are the workers that are working nonstop for days getting the stunts and ramps prepped and ready for race day. Many of the jumps and ramps weren't completed or couldn't be put into place until Sunday morning as racers were ready to drop in.
After the Revolt was stripped down, the Undead was born and ready to tackle everything Valpo could throw at it.
The podium at Valpo gets crazier every year. It doesn't help that CG always strips down and tosses gear out into the crowd causing an all-out riot! After the race, he was hanging out in front of the hotel in nothing on, but his underwear, a leatt, and one knee brace.
After the dust had settled and the bags were packed, we parted on our separate ways. Some of us had a 14 hr travel day in front of us, while some of the Gringos were off for another few days of epic riding and sun in the Andes.
This was a great adventure and truly memorable event! See you all next year,
I have to disagree,I die a little every time I see one of these posts. It takes one of the biggest things of downhill out connecting with nature and ripping through the forest.
@supr-ridr, Downhill, meaning, down a hill, as long as the course is tech and gnarly, it can be wherever, for example, the "Downmall" a matter of weeks ago.
Same here. Trevor is a friend of mine and I was super worried. Ended up heading to the hospital to get his finger stitched up, hand-to-guardrail left him with a gash all the way down to the bone!!
I am always dissapointed that these events never have more top tier WC riders, i know that they are generally worried about injury and risking their season, and therefore sponsors, but these kinda events are the nuts, any rider in this really has gotta have some skill and serious balls. just think its a shame the sport has had to become like this, all so focused on one thing and not getting more involved in this. after all it is classed as an 'extreme sport' so why not do the really nuts shit?
an yes i do realise that this does not happen because they top riders want champs, and world cups to their name and an injuered rider is not much use. still just a shame
i'm with you man. but still, even with the riders here, the skill level is insane! that was some seriously talented riding! i can imagine red bull sponsoring an event like this...
It looks like they took care of the poor guy who crashed at the very last drop for hours. Terrible to look at that again and again. - I whish they would had interrupted the race and brought him to hospital asap.
LOOK FOR A TOWN OR CITY WITH LOTS OF HILLS
AND GO OUT EARLY THE DAWN PATROL. A WOULD
LIKE TO DO THIS MY SELF AND I MIGHT JUST DO IT
THIS SUMMER THERE IS A FEW SPOTS ROUND MY
TOWN OF CARLUKE, SCOTLAND. IF I DO IT AL SEND
YOU THE FOOTAGE.
Thanks Justin, Great edit!
unofficialnetworks.com/telluride-pro-trevor-martin-valparaiso-cerro-abajo-urban-dh-78771
btw: whats that background song? really pushing it!
Certainly one of the more frightening crashes of my career. Always next year.
I often wonder why they build up fresh bikes before a race ? Wouldn't it be easier to have it all ready built and dialed
Check out this video from Polc´s helmet in valparaiso cerro abajo:
montenbaik.com/2012/02/video-helmet-cam-vca-2012-filip-polc
vimeo.com/37391438
vimeo.com/37391438
and get hit by flying riders and bikes
over polc and gracia..
yea buddy