Red Bull Cerro Abajo - Urban Downhill in Genoa: Craziness on stairs - now in Italy!

FREERIDE: Once again you are the only German participant. Why, Fischi?

Johannes Fischbach: Because I'm the most badass. (laughs)

Okay, Fischi, of course we know that you're the crassest. But it's still surprising, isn't it? After all, this is a hugely prestigious race with a mass audience.

I can't think of anyone who has tackled the urban downhill issue here. I think fear plays a role here. Because the races are dangerous. Not that I'm not afraid, but I do it anyway.

I'm sure you still remember your heavy crash from the last race. How are you dealing with it?

Repress it. Don't think about it.

And that works for you?

Half of it. (laughs)... (laughs even more)... Yes, well, if you want to keep going, then there's no point in complaining and brooding about it. That was a small driving mistake with serious consequences. It could have gone really wrong. Well, it did go wrong, but I had a stroke of luck and came away with a huge scare. Now I have to put the incident behind me and look to the future.

The Red Bull Cerro Abajo Genova is an invitational race. So the stars from South America will be at the start, Tomas Slavik of course - who else?

The starting list has not yet been published. But it will probably be the same crew of riders who will also be competing in South America. However, I can well imagine that a few more Worldcuppers will come, as the season will be over by then and the extra risk seems justifiable to them. Because some of them certainly don't want to miss out on such a spectacle.

The Colombians seem hard to beat in the races overseas. Is the same true for Genoa?

I don't know exactly what to expect in Genoa, but I know from experience that the urban races in Europe are tamer. They are never as tough as in South America, because you don't have the steep slopes that you have there. Here, such steep slopes would not be built on like in Mexico or Chile. That's why the race in Genoa will be easier to control. That's my guess. And the course won't be as dangerous as in South America.

Exactly, that would give the officials a heart attack.

You'll never get a course like the one in Chile authorised here. The track will be much safer. Even in Italy. That's also the reason why there won't be a Cerro Abajo in Germany. The safety regulations are far too strict here.

Is there now a revival of urban downhills in Europe - is the wave that started here back then spilling over again?

Do you think urban DH comes from Europe? I thought the Cerro Abajo Valparaiso in Chile was the first urban downhill over 20 years ago.

The Red Bull Lisbon Downtown was the first urban DH. At least the first big urban DH. It was held for the first time in 1999. Steve Peat won it many years in a row.

Could well be. I only know that the race in Valparaiso was celebrating its 20th anniversary when I was there this spring. By the way, there's an exciting documentary on Red Bull TV - it's well worth watching.

The races in South America attract a mass audience. Will there be more races in Europe now?

I know that Red Bull has bought the series and wants to expand it. Instead of just three tour stops like now, there will be 5-6. Not just in Europe, but worldwide. I can always see where Tomas Slavik is currently scouting. He's been to Oman and Asia. Red Bull has a lot planned.

Do you plan the races for yourself?

Yes, I want to be involved everywhere. (laughs)

How do you go about removing the motor from your GasGas E-Enduro?

No, I'll probably get a Liteville Enduro. And for next year I'm hoping for a good downhill bike. Because a downhill bike is the best choice for these races.