Anyone who thinks downhill cycling belongs in the woods has never been to the Red Bull Cerro Abajo. In Genoa, cyclists don’t race over roots and rocks, but up centuries-old stone steps, through narrow Caruggi, past the façades of the houses and right through the heart of the old town. Make a mistake? You’ll be punished immediately – usually by a stone wall.
The route is perfect for adrenaline junkies: 2.2 kilometres long, with a descent of 279 metres. From the Monte Peralto up to Largo della Zecca It’s practically a non-stop descent. Tight hairpin bends alternate with jumps, man-made obstacles and ancient staircases. Top speeds of over 60 km/h seem completely mad here.
Johannes Fischbach goes on the offensive
From a German perspective, hopes rest on Johannes Fischbach. The multiple urban downhill specialist is travelling to Italy with a silver medal from the last Cerro Abajo Genoa and his newly won title: German E-Enduro Champion. He is once again among the favourites for the final. But it won’t be easy: the field of competitors is top-class.
The stars in Genoa
- Ed Masters (New Zealand)
- Brook Macdonald (New Zealand)
- Sam Blenkinsop (New Zealand)
- Alex Marín (Spain)
- Lucas Borba (Brazil)
- Roger Vieira (Brazil)
- Johannes Fischbach (Germany)
- Julian Steiner (Germany)
- Alex Storr (United Kingdom)
- Josh Lowe (United Kingdom)
- Theo Erlangsen (South Africa)
- Marius Perraudin (Switzerland)
- Pedro Burns (Chile)
- Felipe Agurto (Chile)
- Alberto Nicolás (Chile)
This is how the race works
On Saturday (27 June) Practice and qualifying are on the programme. Only the The 15 Fastest make it through to the final. On Sunday (28 June) Then there’s just one race against the clock – whoever sets the fastest time at the bottom wins.
Live stream & TV
Qualifying: Saturday, 27 June
Final: Sunday, 28 June
Live stream: from 5.20 pm (CEST) on Red Bull TV.
Anyone there in person can watch the race for free from along the route. It’s worth arriving early: the best viewing spots at the jumps and steps are traditionally snapped up quickly.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
