Slavík Wins Biggest Urban Street Race In Europe

22 october 2024, genova, ITALY | slavik wins red bull cerro abajo as published on bike network in south africa

The first European edition of the Red Bull Cerro Abajo race thrills fans!

Czech legend Tomáš Slavík held off Colombian Juanfer Vélez to win the first European edition of the iconic urban downhill mountain bike event Red Bull Cerro Abajo at Genova in Italy on Sunday, reaching speeds of up to 80km/h down a 2.2km course.

22 october 2024, genova, ITALY | slavik wins red bull cerro abajo as published on bike network in south africa
The streets of Genova were packed with fans.

Thirty-two riders from the ranks of Red Bull Cerro Abajo’s brilliant urban downhill mountain biking scene took to the streets of Genova, Italy for Europe’s first ever stop on Sunday. The 2.2-kilometre course wound its way from Monte Peralto down to Largo della Zecca, passing through some of Genova’s most iconic landmarks, totaling a descent of 279 metres at speeds of up to 80km/h.

22 october 2024, genova, ITALY | slavik wins red bull cerro abajo as published on bike network in south africa
The legend Tomas Slavik drops into the finish area, taking the win.

With a roster of fierce competitors it was Czech rider Slavík, a storied veteran of Red Bull Cerro Abajo, who secured the win in a superb time of 2:42.505 to edge out Vélez by just 0.477 of a second. Vélez’s fellow Colombian Sebastian Holguin rounded out the podium in third as thousands of fans lined the streets to cheer on riders from 15 nations for the event.

22 october 2024, genova, ITALY | slavik wins red bull cerro abajo as published on bike network in south africa
Bernard Kerr opted to race an Enduro bike.

Slavïk, 37, said: “It still doesn’t seem real to me. The course was difficult and wild, pushing you to the limit at every moment. I gave my soul for this victory and I am happy to be the winner of this first historic European stop. I’ve been racing for many years now and competing with so many new young people gives me a special boost. The thing that inspired me most was to win today in front of this fantastic crowd, who welcomed me as if I were at home.”

22 october 2024, genova, ITALY | slavik wins red bull cerro abajo as published on bike network in south africa
Chris Hauser, floating.

Sunday’s win was not enough for Slavïk to be crowned the overall winner of the Red Bull Cerro Abajo 2024 series as Vélez claimed that honour for the second season in a row, adding to his results achieved in Chilean city Valparaíso and Guanajuato, Mexico where he was victorious.

22 october 2024, genova, ITALY | slavik wins red bull cerro abajo as published on bike network in south africa
Final podium, from left: Juan Fernando Velez (2nd), Tomas Slavik (Winner), Sebastian Holguin (3rd).

Series Champion, Juan Fernando Velez: “I am overjoyed to be the champion of Red Bull Cerro Abajo for the second year in a row, the most spectacular and extreme competition in urban downhill. Today’s course was very physical: to get to the end I had to give it my all. It would have been great to win in this extraordinary city, but the joy of reconfirming myself as champion is unparalleled.” | Catch the event replay here. //


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